Mere Mortals Book Reviews
Hey we are the Mere Mortals and we review books of all genres/styles but with an emphasis on those that have stood the test of time (the 'classics' if you will). Join us on Weekly live episode on Thurs 11am AEST (Thurs 1am UTC+0) plus bonus episodes from my cohost Juan.
Wed, April 09, 2025
Annoying Flying Assholes | Peter Pan (J.M. Barrie) BOOK REVIEW
We've got it all wrong, there's no good guys & bad guys .... they're all bad! 'Peter Pan' by J.M. Barrie is a classic story of a child who never grows up. Peter lives in Neverland, a mystical island where pirates, Indians and wild beasts roam. He commands a gang of Lost Boys and takes them on adventures along with Wendy, Tinkerbell, John & Michael. If you got value from the podcast please provide support back in any way you best see fit! Timeline: (00:00:00) Intro (00:02:58) Themes/Questions (00:12:44) Author & Extras (00:18:50) Summary (00:21:51) Value 4 Value (00:22:43) Join Live! Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast
Thu, April 03, 2025
Buddhist Meditation Practices For Healing | Radical Acceptance (Tara Brach) BOOK REVIEW
Strategies to accept your suffering & heal yourself with compassion. 'Radical Acceptance' by Tara Brach is a guide of various meditation & framing practices to recognise the root cause of emotional distress. These are derived from Buddhist principles and serve to help accept the current pain & suffering. There are 13 chapters that begin with a story followed by an explanation of the intent before a final guided meditation. If you got value from the podcast please provide support back in any way you best see fit! Timeline: (00:00:00) Intro (00:02:35) Themes/Questions (00:15:33) Author & Extras (00:24:26) Summary (00:27:20) Value 4 Value (00:28:40) Join Live! Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast
Wed, March 26, 2025
Western Stories/Eastern Philosophy | The Tao Of Pooh & The Te Of Piglet (Benjamin Hoff) BOOK REVIEW
You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. 'The Tao Of Pooh & The Te Of Piglet' by Benjamin Hoff is a light read interpreting Taoism through the lens of A. A. Milne's 'Winnie The Pooh' characters. Core concepts such as The Way & Wu Wei are explored and why certain characters embody various aspects of the religion. It's told via the author interacting with the characters & recounting passages both from the original Pooh stories but also the 3 main Taoist teachers. If you got value from the podcast please provide support back in any way you best see fit! Timeline: (00:00:00) Intro (00:02:35) Themes/Questions (00:18:56) Author & Extras (00:25:06) Summary (00:27:20) Value 4 Value (00:29:00) Join Live! Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast
Wed, March 19, 2025
New Language, New You | The Bilingual Brain (Albert Costa) BOOK REVIEW
What happens inside the head when you learn a 2nd language? 'The Bilingual Brain' by Albert Costa is a quick summary of academic research on bilingual vs monolingual speakers. He looks at effects that knowing a 2nd language can have on the physical wiring as well as behavioural differences. So things like response times, vocab limits, gray matter density, etc. In the 5 chapters he goes over studies and you'll see some graphs & brain cross sections. If you got value from the podcast please provide support back in any way you best see fit! Timeline: (00:00:00) Intro (00:02:12) Themes/Questions (00:20:56) Author & Extras (00:23:10) Summary (00:25:51) Value 4 Value (00:27:14) Join Live! Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast
Thu, March 13, 2025
Mastering Power: The Secrets Behind the 48 Laws
In this episode, we delve into key insights from Robert Greene's The 48 Laws of Power, highlighting powerful lessons on navigating relationships, mastering influence, and understanding human psychology. From the importance of knowing the rules—even if you choose not to follow them—to mastering strategic silence and spotting concealed intentions, these learnings reveal profound truths about influence, communication, and power dynamics. (00:00) - Introduction to the 48 Laws of Power (01:08) - Know the Game: Be an Artist, Not a Bungler (02:31) - Law 1: Avoid Outshining the Master (04:17) - Law 3: Conceal Your True Intentions (06:08) - Law 4: Say Less Than Necessary (08:09) - Law 5: Master One Quality, Not Many (10:01) - Law 9: Actions Speak Louder Than Arguments (10:22) - Law 11: Make Yourself Indispensable (12:13) - Law 13: See Beyond Your Own Wants (14:07) - Law 14: Extract Secrets through Connection (15:16) - Law 15 vs Law 2: Crush vs Use Your Enemies (15:58) - Law 16: Use Absence Strategically (17:41) - Law 18: Isolation is Dangerous (18:50) - Law 22: Pride Can Be Your Downfall (20:07) - Concentrate Your Forces for Impact (20:48) - Stay Focused Amid Modern Distractions (21:30) - Adapt Style, Maintain Respect (22:06) - Law 12: Avoid Delivering Bad News Yourself (22:40) - Law 28: Act with Boldness, Not Hesitation (23:00) - Law 31: Control Choices to Influence Decisions (24:27) - Law 34: Never Lose Self-Respect (24:54) - Law 35: Mastering Perfect Timing (26:15) - Beware Ego’s Deadly Power (27:16) - Envy: The Hidden Emotion (28:07) - Law 48: Flexibility is the Ultimate Power 👑 Support Mere Mortals: Value 4 Value Support: Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twit
Wed, March 12, 2025
God Grant Me My Independence | Common Sense (Thomas Paine) BOOK REVIEW
Isn't it common sense to go wild & fight!!! 'Common Sense' by Thomas Paine is a small pamphlet distributed just before the start of the American Revolution. In it he makes arguments for why they should break away from English governance to become their own independent country and not a colony. These focus on religious views of kings, the illegitimacy of hereditary rule & why England does not have America's best interests at heart. If you got value from the podcast please provide support back in any way you best see fit! Timeline: (00:00:00) Intro (00:02:23) Themes/Questions (00:13:02) Author & Extras (00:19:51) Summary (00:22:44) Value 4 Value (00:23:53) Join Live! Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast
Thu, March 06, 2025
The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene – Book Review & Analysis
Power is an elusive force, but Robert Greene distills it into 48 strategic laws that have stood the test of time. In this review, I break down the core themes, structure, and key takeaways from The 48 Laws of Power—a book that is equally revered and feared. This isn't just another self-help book; it's a deep dive into historical power dynamics, manipulation, and strategy. From Machiavelli to Napoleon, Greene extracts lessons from history’s most cunning figures. But is this a manual for domination or a cautionary tale? And should you read it? 00:00 - Introduction 00:45 - Book Overview 03:15 - Structure & Writing Style 06:40 - Controversial Aspects 10:20 - Key Lessons & Takeaways 14:00 - Should You Read This? 16:30 - Final Thoughts & Rating 17:00 - Call to Action (Subscribe, Support, Comment) ⚡ Key Takeaways: The book's unique structure, including its historical parables and red-highlighted maxims The balance between strategy and ethics—how some laws feel Machiavellian while others are practical life lessons How The 48 Laws of Power can be used as a tool for self-awareness rather than manipulation Similar reads: The Prince by Machiavelli, The Art of War by Sun Tzu, How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie If you've read this book, let me know your thoughts in the comments. Do you think it’s a dangerous text or an essential one? 👑 Support Mere Mortals: Value 4 Value Support: Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.insta
Wed, March 05, 2025
Interest Is Kind Of Interesting | The Price Of Time (Edward Chancellor) BOOK REVIEW
Out of interest, what price do you put on your time? 'The Price Of Time' by Edward Chancellor is a look at interest rates across history and what effects they have had on human behaviour & therefore economic activity. His central argument is that the current rates of interest seen in modern times are too low and have led to distorted & unproductive outcomes. It consists of 3 parts split into 18 chapters with a small series of charts and photographic plates. If you got value from the podcast please provide support back in any way you best see fit! Timeline: (00:00:00) Intro (00:01:52) Themes/Questions (00:18:52) Author & Extras (00:23:20) Summary (00:25:52) Value 4 Value (00:28:18) Join Live! Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast
Wed, February 26, 2025
Love Intrigues & Speculation | The Gilded Age (Mark Twain & Charles Dudley Warner) BOOK REVIEW
Everybody is out for money ... politicians just want yours as well. 'The Gilded Age' by Mark Twain & Charles Dudley Warner is a fictional tale of the money, speculation & intrigue of American politics. It has two main branches of the story that intersect. The first is about a cast of small town people who seek out the riches of Washington (Laura, Washington & Col. Eschol Sellers). The second is of two well off young gentlemen who initially seek their fortune in the country before returning to the real action in DC (Harry & Philip). It showcases the influence that politicians have and how they abuse it for their own profit. If you got value from the podcast please provide support back in any way you best see fit! Timeline: (00:00:00) Intro (00:03:19) Themes/Questions (00:28:42) Author & Extras (00:33:09) Summary (00:37:26) Value 4 Value (00:38:18) Join Live! Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast
Wed, February 19, 2025
Does Australia Deserve It's Prosperity? | The Lucky Country (Donald Horne) BOOK REVIEW
Unjustified negativity has funny ways of rebounding right back at you. 'The Lucky Country' by Donald Horne is a a subjective snapshot of Australian life in the 1960's. Donald creates a depiction of the average person, our way of life, relation to other countries (especially Asia) and the political landscape. He is rather scathing when taken as a whole but seems relatively balanced when talking about minutiae topics. If you got value from the podcast please provide support back in any way you best see fit! Timeline: (00:00:00) Intro (00:02:03) Themes/Questions (00:19:01) Author & Extras (00:22:46) Summary (00:24:37) Value 4 Value (00:25:20) Join Live! Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast
Wed, February 12, 2025
Change Your Lousy Business | Blue Ocean Strategy (W. Chan Kim & Renée Mauborgne) BOOK REVIEW
Surprisingly, if you appeal to tired & worn out people it might just reflect in your own work. 'Blue Ocean Strategy' by W. Chan Kim & Renée Mauborgne is a business strategy book promoting the idea of moving away from a contested core business to less competitive greener pastures. Highlights several companies that have done this and why they were successful. Plenty of graphs, charts & lists contained within 11 chapters & 3 appendices. Huge thanks to Lyceum for the support this week, much appreciated! Timeline: (00:00:00) Intro (00:02:26) Themes/Questions (00:12:38) Author & Extras (00:20:41) Summary (00:22:57) Value 4 Value (00:25:33) Join Live! Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast
Wed, February 05, 2025
Fighting Anarchy With Chaos | The Man Who Was Thursday (G.K. Chesterton) BOOK REVIEW
To save the world you must be first willing to burn it. 'The Man Who Was Thursday' by G.K. Chesterton is a short fictional novel of a policeman who joins a 7 person high ranking cabal of anarchists to stop their evil ideology. He begins to learn that their are allies amongst the enemies & enlists their help to take down the behemoth ringleader Sunday. It's set in 1900's England and has a rather bizarre 'absurdist' style but with a levity you wouldn't find in other similar books. If you got value from the podcast please provide support back in any way you best see fit! Timeline: (00:00:00) Intro (00:01:58) Themes/Questions (00:14:51) Author & Extras (00:22:35) Summary (00:25:46) Value 4 Value (00:28:10) Join Live! Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast
Wed, January 29, 2025
The Art Of Translation | My Analysis Of Two Books Side By Side
How much meaning is lost when you are reading a translation? Today is a special episode where I am going over my findings from reading 'O Alquimista' in the original Portuguese and it's English translation side by side. I found that although the grammar prompt some differences the biggest effect was stylistic choices by the translator. This includes minor things like cutting out words/sentences to larger alterations such as removing potentially 'racist' remarks. Would love to hear your feedback and appreciate any support you wish to give :) The Alchemist Book Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5o40-BJkfLE Tao Te Ching Book Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Thoq-1gwZLo Timeline: (00:00:00) Intro (00:02:01) Direct Observations (00:17:31) Indirect Observations (00:27:34) Summary (00:30:17) Value 4 Value (00:31:55) Join Live! Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast
Wed, January 22, 2025
An Arduous Battle Against Cancer | The Emperor Of All Maladies (Siddhartha Mukherjee) BOOK REVIEW
No easy wins and only tough decisions. 'The Emperor Of All Maladies' by Siddhartha Mukherjee is a dense history of cancer throughout the centuries but particularly the 20th. Details breakthroughs in prevention, cure, chemotherapy, surgery, genetics and knowledge/understanding. Told from an American POV so largely uses stats from there whilst also showing how it is a global problem. Has a personal touch of his interactions with patients, scientists who discovered the next step forward and notable activists pushing for change (hence the 'biography'). If you got value from the podcast please provide support back in any way you best see fit! Timeline: (00:00:00) Intro (00:02:52) Themes/Questions (00:26:31) Author & Extras (00:30:14) Summary (00:33:25) Value 4 Value (00:34:43) Join Live! Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast
Wed, January 15, 2025
How To Indirectly Pick Up Girls | Day Bang (Roosh V) BOOK REVIEW
We're hitting the streets and looking for pet shops! 'Day Bang' by Roosh V is a how to guide on meeting girls during the day. In particular he advocates for starting casual chats (where the girl doesn't initially realise you're hitting on her) in cafe's, book stores, retail outlets and on the street. He lays out his strategy for the elderly opener, dropping interesting bait about yourself before moving into establishing a deeper connection and finally getting a number. Within you'll learn about psychology, logistics, motivation, example conversations and his knowledge from teaching others. If you got value from the podcast please provide support back in any way you best see fit! Timeline: (00:00:00) Intro (00:03:11) Themes/Questions (00:32:07) Author & Extras (00:39:04) Summary (00:44:35) Value 4 Value (00:45:53) Join Live! Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast
Fri, January 10, 2025
Turning Obstacles Into Opportunities: Lessons from Ryan Holiday
I explore insights from "The Obstacle is the Way" by Ryan Holiday, highlighting key lessons on persistence, action, and overcoming challenges. The discussion delves into Stoic philosophy, personal growth strategies, and actionable advice for navigating obstacles with a positive mindset. (00:00) - Introduction: Persistence Defined (00:33) - Book Learnings: "The Obstacle is the Way" Overview (02:55) - Key Insights from Marcus Aurelius and Stoicism (05:16) - The Origin of "The Obstacle is the Way" (06:01) - Action as the Key to Progress (09:30) - Framework: Perception, Action, and Will (12:14) - Power of Perspective: Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Example (15:16) - Practicing Objectivity: Marcus Aurelius’s Exercises (18:10) - Directed Action vs. Passive Action (22:21) - Early Morning Aggression: Unlocking Productivity (24:49) - Persistence and Long-Term Goals (28:53) - Preparing for Challenges: Insights from Seneca (30:44) - Perseverance: The Ultimate Key to Success (32:06) - Aiming for Something Bigger: Final Reflections Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast
Wed, January 08, 2025
Abuse, Heartbreak & Healing | Unlovable (Darren Hayes) BOOK REVIEW
What's a rather poor therapeutic strategy to heal trauma/abuse ..... become a global superstar! 'Unlovable' by Darren Hayes is an autobiography of the solo musical artist and former front man of Savage Garden. It details his childhood growing up in Brisbane, turbulent home/school life due to an alcoholic/violent father, musical ups & downs, struggles with his sexuality & road to healing. It consists of a fair few chapters (20-30ish), inset plate of photographs and told mostly in a chronological style with a couple of flashbacks. If you got value from the podcast please provide support back in any way you best see fit! Timeline: (00:00:00) Intro (00:03:38) Themes/Questions (00:21:43) Author & Extras (00:30:25) Summary (00:34:14) Value 4 Value (00:35:59) Join Live! Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast
Wed, January 01, 2025
Speculation Across The Ages | Devil Take The Hindmost (Edward Chancellor) BOOK REVIEW
All of the fun of gambling without any of the boring math! 'Devil Take The Hindmost' by Edward Chancellor is a series of snapshots across history of financial speculation (so called bubbles). Presents not only the instances of craziness but also the feeling of the time (notable periods being The Tulip Mania, South Sea Bubble and The Gilded Age amongst others). Not super heavy on statistics; more so newspaper articles, quotes from notable people and behavioural reactions of the people. Chapters are broken into individual time periods and you won't see any charts or graphs either. If you got value from the podcast please provide support back in any way you best see fit! Timeline: (00:00:00) Intro (00:03:09) Themes/Questions (00:22:23) Author & Extras (00:27:11) Summary (00:29:59) Value 4 Value (00:30:51) Join Live! Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast
Wed, December 25, 2024
A Brazilian Classic To Die For | The Posthumous Memoirs Of Brás Cubas (Machado De Assis) BOOK REVIEW
If you're already melancholic, try dying first and then see how you feel! 'The Posthumous Memoirs Of Brás Cubas' by Machado De Assis is a reflection of memories from a man who has died but lived in Rio de Janeiro during the 19th century. Bras Cubas narrates his life in a melancholic style, jumping back in time after we learn of his demise. We see his struggles, his loves, his passions and his affairs. It's composed of 159 chapters of varying lengths and style. If you got value from the podcast please provide support back in any way you best see fit! Timeline: (00:00:00) Intro (00:03:02) Themes/Questions (00:14:58) Author & Extras (00:21:52) Summary (00:24:34) Value 4 Value (00:25:15) Join Live! Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast
Fri, December 20, 2024
Elon Musk’s Reality Distortion: 8 Lessons from a Life of Obsession
I dive into Walter Isaacson's biography of Elon Musk, highlighting eight powerful learnings about Elon’s work ethic, team structure, reality distortion, and the maniacal sense of urgency that shaped his ventures. From OpenAI’s origins to "X" continuity, the insights offer an inspiring yet extreme look into innovation and grit. (00:00) - Welcome & Intro: Learnings from Elon Musk (00:53) - Steve Jobs Comparison: Creating Reality Distortion (02:26) - Elon’s Childhood: Mixed Realities & Influence on Leadership (04:05) - The Vision of X.com: From 1999 to Twitter’s Reinvention (06:17) - Team Structuring: Why Engineers Lead at Tesla & SpaceX (08:10) - The Urgency Principle: Unrealistic Timelines to Achieve Big (10:37) - Success Under Insane Deadlines: The 6-Week Rocket Turnaround (13:02) - OpenAI Origins: Elon Musk’s Early Collaboration with Sam Altman (14:03) - The Algorithm: Musk’s Five Commandments for Success (17:09) - The Raptor Meetings: Midnight Work Ethic & Drive to Deliver (18:05) - Final Reflections: Insane Yet Motivational Work Ethic Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastWelcome back to Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast
Wed, December 18, 2024
A Sacrifice For The Greater Good | Ender's Game (Orson Scott Card) BOOK REVIEW
Is it moral to trick a willing participant in a deadly game? 'Ender's Game' by Orson Scott Card is a sci-fi war scenario between humanity and hive mind insect aliens. Humanity survived two space battles but must prepare for the all important third. They recruit gifted children & train them mercilessly to be strategic commanders in the International Fleet. Ender Wiggin is the most talented of the bunch and must do brutal things to save those he loves. It consists of 15 chapters mostly titled for an important person in the book. Huge thanks to Deezlaughs for supporting the show, it is very much appreciated! Timeline: (00:00:00) Intro (00:03:17) Themes/Questions (00:16:18) Author & Extras (00:17:18) Summary (00:21:00) Value 4 Value (00:22:15) Join Live! Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast
Fri, December 13, 2024
Inside the Mind of Elon Musk | Elon Musk BOOK REVIEW
Dive into Walter Isaacson's latest biography, Elon Musk, an in-depth exploration of the visionary entrepreneur's life, challenges, and unrelenting drive for innovation. This detailed review highlights the meticulous research and storytelling that captures Musk's complexity, motivations, and impact on industries ranging from space exploration to social media. (00:00) - Welcome & Book Introduction (00:30) - Comparing Isaacson's & Vance's Biographies (01:10) - Walter Isaacson: The Biographer's Credentials (02:15) - Book Structure: A Deep Dive into 95 Chapters (03:50) - The Early Years: Childhood and PayPal Mafia (04:40) - SpaceX Beginnings: Overcoming Challenges (06:20) - The Second Half: A Day-to-Day View of Musk (08:00) - "Demon Mode": Musk's Work Ethic Explored (09:15) - Relationships & Personal Life: A Brief Look (10:10) - Comparing Isaacson's Work to Others (10:40) - Final Thoughts & Personal Takeaways Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastWelcome back to Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast
Wed, December 11, 2024
Cautionary Tales For Youngsters | The Fables Of Aesop (Aesop) BOOK REVIEW
Why do poor wolves and foxes get picked on? 'The Fables Of Aesop' by Aesop are a series of extremely small stories (aka fables) with usually a proverb to sum them up. They are mostly told via animals interacting in various contexts, with certain animal species used to highlight human traits. Often times they are contradictory and require nuance to perceive the difference in similar situations. Highly enjoyable and perfect for kids with the illustrations as well. Huge thanks to Vratislav Karpisek for supporting the show, it is very much appreciated! Timeline: (00:00:00) Intro (00:02:42) Themes/Questions (00:11:39) Author & Extras (00:15:58) Summary (00:18:20) Value 4 Value (00:20:59) Join Live! Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast
Wed, December 04, 2024
Networks Of Secret Societies | The Square & The Tower (Niall Ferguson) BOOK REVIEW
Can hierarchies exist in a world of networks? 'The Square & The Tower' by Niall Ferguson examines a selection of networks across history. In particular it focuses upon hierarchies & how they operate compared to decentralised/distributed collections of people. You'll learn about nodes & hubs, geopolitics of WW1/2, secret societies of Freemasons & Illuminati, the connectedness of Kissinger & James Watt, the East India shipping companies & modern technological advances in communication. Would love to hear your feedback and appreciate any support you wish to give :) Timeline: (00:00:00) Intro (00:02:24) Themes/Questions (00:17:02) Author & Extras (00:22:02) Summary (00:24:47) Value 4 Value (00:26:08) Join Live! Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast
Sat, November 30, 2024
Miyamoto Musashi’s Lessons from the Samurai Era | The Book of Five Rings BOOK REVIEW
Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast
Wed, November 27, 2024
Any Man's Death Diminishes Me | For Whom The Bell Tolls (Ernest Hemingway) BOOK REVIEW
Are they killing others or really killing themselves? 'For Whom The Bell Tolls' by Ernest Hemingway is a fictional account of an American dynamiter behind fascist lines during the 1936 Spanish Civil War. He must blow up a bridge and enlists the help of a Republican guerilla group living in the mountains. He falls in love with a girl, encounters difficulties with the leader & ultimately must make do in a tough situation. It switches between narration & internal dialogue but still kind of is in 3rd person throughout. Would love to hear your feedback and appreciate any support you wish to give :) Timeline: (00:00:00) Intro (00:02:54) Themes/Questions (00:19:04) Author & Extras (00:23:04) Summary (00:27:37) Value 4 Value (00:30:07) Join Live! Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast
Fri, November 22, 2024
Daily Thoughts To Nourish The Soul | A Calendar Of Wisdom (Leo Tolstoy) BOOK REVIEW
Inspiring quotes can get rather tiresome. 'A Calendar Of Wisdom' by Leo Tolstoy is a compilation of modified quotes that follow the days of the year. Each day will have 4-6 snippets related to a subject he cares about. Common occurrences are on religion, love, good/evil, morals, vegetarianism & self-improvement. The quotes are sourced widely from notable individuals around the world and condensed into the format that Tolstoy desired. Would love to hear your feedback and appreciate any support you wish to give :) Timeline: (00:00:00) Intro (00:02:25) Themes/Questions (00:12:36) Author & Extras (00:17:39) Summary (00:20:49) Value 4 Value (00:24:00) Join Live! Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast
Wed, November 13, 2024
A Monotonous Dystopia Without Pleasure | The Handmaid's Tale (Margaret Atwood) BOOK REVIEW
The ultimate male fantasy is rather flat & boring. 'The Handmaid's Tale' by Margaret Atwood is told from the point of view of an unnamed narrator. It takes place in a USA where there has been an overthrown government and everything is now dystopian. Our girl is 33 yrs old & a handmaid, whose only purpose is to give birth. Life is very different: family structures changed, super totalitarian (everyone is watched), a lot of violence (capital punishment/suicide/torture), monotonous routine & a sprinkle of religiosity. It has very short chapters interspersed with her recollections of the past plus a little future historical context right at the end. Would love to hear your feedback and appreciate any support you wish to give :) Timeline: (00:00:00) Intro (00:02:46) Themes/Questions (00:24:30) Author & Extras (00:27:30) Summary (00:29:43) Value 4 Value (00:31:30) Join Live! Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast
Fri, November 08, 2024
A Fashion Icon’s Story Told in Snippets | The Little Book of Versace BOOK REVIEW
This review delves into "The Little Book of Versace," evaluating its limited depth and focus on visuals over meaningful insights. While the book covers Versace’s designs and runway moments, it lacks a cohesive narrative, leaving the reader to seek additional context elsewhere. Overall, it's deemed more of a coffee table accessory than an informative resource on the iconic brand. (00:00) - Introduction to the Book Review (00:51) - The Versace Legacy in Brief (01:16) - Thoughts on Book’s Structure and Style (02:28) - The Book’s Visual Appeal vs. Informational Value (03:15) - Focus on Gianni Versace’s Influence (04:05) - The Book’s Shallow Dive into Fashion Culture (05:03) - Personal Research for Versace’s Backstory (05:58) - The Medusa Symbolism Explained (06:36) - Supermodels & Versace’s Influence (07:23) - Coffee Table Book or Fashion Reference? (08:08) - Final Thoughts and Recommendation Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastWelcome back to Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast
Wed, November 06, 2024
Characters To Die For | East Of Eden (John Steinbeck) BOOK REVIEW
Are people more cruel or simply the passing of time itself? 'East Of Eden' by John Steinbeck is straight up one of the best books I've ever read. We follow various families across the generations as they live & die in 19/20th century America. It's uplifting in some sections and then will follow up with a brutality that brings you to your knees. Easily some of the best written characters and dialogue that I've encountered in all my reading. Would love to hear your feedback and appreciate any support you wish to give :) Timeline: (00:00:00) Intro (00:05:49) Themes/Questions (00:18:41) Author & Extras (00:26:19) Summary (00:28:46) Value 4 Value (00:30:08) Join Live! Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast
Wed, October 30, 2024
Don't Read Everything | Reasons To Stop Midway Through A Book
I'm begging you, please don't make this mistake! Today is a special episode where I am diving into some of the reasons why I have stopped reading many books. I'm also giving a list of these books so that you don't have to waste your time on them (assuming you trust my judgement). Would love to hear your feedback and appreciate any support you wish to give :) Timeline: (00:00:00) Intro (00:02:18) Structure/Style (00:14:21) Length (00:17:41) Content & Summary (00:28:32) Value 4 Value (00:31:09) Join Live! Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast
S1 Enull · Fri, October 25, 2024
Outliving the Odds: Lessons on Longevity | Outlive (Peter Attia) BOOK LEARNINGS
In this podcast, I dive into Peter Attia's Outlive, discussing key lessons from the book on longevity and modern medicine. I highlight the surprising flaws in current medical guidelines, explore how centenarians' genetic traits can be mimicked through lifestyle changes, and busts myths about dietary habits like egg consumption. It’s an insightful conversation on optimizing health and balancing extreme views on nutrition and fitness. (00:00) - Welcome and Introduction to Outlive (00:39) - First Learning: Flaws in Type 2 Diabetes Guidelines (02:15) - Black and White in Medicine vs. Grey Areas (04:45) - Breaking the Myth: “First Do No Harm” Wasn't Hippocrates (05:44) - Mimicking Centenarians: Can We Extend Our Lifespan? (07:05) - Chapter Eight: The Crisis of Abundance and Modern Diets (09:33) - The Misunderstanding of Metabolic Syndrome (12:00) - The Humble Egg: Debunking Decades-Old Myths (13:32) - Balancing Extremes in Nutrition and Fitness (14:04) - Final Thoughts on Outlive and Longevity
S1 Enull · Wed, October 23, 2024
Disappointingly Non-Sensual | The Kama Sutra (Vātsyāyana) BOOK REVIEW
Why is everyone so mistaken about this book? 'The Kama Sutra' by Vātsyāyana is a how-to guide on courtship & sexual pleasure, as opposed to a graphic explanation of sexual positions. All of this comes from an Indian context from that era (so more addressed to the educated man/woman). Split into 7 parts and is about things like sexual union, class & social status differences, acquiring a wife & pleasing her, cheating, courtesans & sexual aids. Would love to hear your feedback and appreciate any support you wish to give :) Timeline: (00:00:00) Intro (00:03:00) Themes/Questions (00:08:52) Author & Extras (00:16:05) Summary (00:20:55) Value 4 Value (00:22:05) Join Live! Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast
Sat, October 19, 2024
Outlive Review: Living Better, Not Just Longer | Outlive (Peter Attia) BOOK REVIEW
In this episode, we dive into "Outlive: The Science of Longevity" by Dr. Peter Attia. The review explores key themes like emotional health, the importance of living better rather than just longer, and practical tips for increasing both lifespan and health span. The review highlights Attia's structured breakdown of science-based tactics to improve longevity and emotional well-being. (00:00) - Introduction to the Episode (00:17) - What is Outlive About? (01:06) - Peter Attia's Background and Credentials (02:53) - Overview of the Book's Structure (04:32) - Health Span vs. Lifespan: The Longevity Curve (05:46) - The Four Horsemen of Health: Key Diseases (06:49) - Exercise, Sleep, and Nutrition: Key Health Tactics (09:01) - Peter Attia's Writing Style and Analogies (11:08) - Emotional Health: The Final Chapter (12:21) - Conclusion and Overall Rating of the Book Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastWelcome back to
Wed, October 16, 2024
Ghost Stories & Adventure | The Sketchbook Of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent (Washington Irving) BOOK REVIEW
Do your prefer old Dutch horror stories or refined English gentry? 'The Sketchbook Of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent' by Washington Irving is a mix of short stories (mostly about English observations from an American). It alternates between nonfiction & fiction, mostly told from the POV of the author. It's most famous for the two Dutch inspired stories of Rip Van Winkle & The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow but you'll also be entertained by Christmas with an eccentric nobleman, why American literature is being discounted, hunting for Shakespeare relics & tales of lovers & princes. Would love to hear your feedback and appreciate any support you wish to give :) Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (2:29) - Themes/Questions (6:57) - Author & Extras (11:51) - Summary (16:06) - Value 4 Value (17:49) - Join Live! Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast
Thu, October 10, 2024
Making Tech Mainstream | Crossing The Chasm (Geoffrey A. Moore) BOOK REVIEW
What does it take to market & sell new technology? 'Crossing The Chasm' by Geoffrey A. Moore is a how-to book for entrepreneurs & small businesses to get their product to a larger market. He defines & addresses this problem of the chasm and his suggestions for solving it. Inside you'll find lots of jargon, tech speak and industry specific framing such as the whole product, distribution channels, marketing strategy & pricing. Would love to hear your feedback and appreciate any support you wish to give :) Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (2:04) - Themes/Questions (14:45) - Author & Extras (16:32) - Summary (18:38) - Value 4 Value (19:59) - Join Live! Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast
Thu, September 19, 2024
Dreamlike Childhoods Must Come To An End | Capitães Da Areia (Jorge Amado) BOOK REVIEW
A Bahian trance reflecting the best & worse of Brazilian childhood. 'Capitães Da Areia' by Jorge Amado ('Captains Of The Sands' in English) is a coming of age story set in a 1930's Brazilian beach town. We follow a group orphaned adolescents who live without care under a pier. They know the streets better than anyone and are a menace to the city authorities. Under the leadership of their chief Pedro Bala we see them grow from young teenagers into young men through a haze of good & bad experiences. Would love to hear your feedback and appreciate any support you wish to give :) Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (2:21) - Themes/Questions (17:20) - Author & Extras (21:35) - Summary (23:54) - Value 4 Value (25:44) - Join Live! Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast
Thu, September 12, 2024
Tragedy Without Consequences | Mao's Great Famine (Frank Dikötter) BOOK REVIEW
Who is to blame if the leader can never be wrong? 'Tragedy Without Consequences' by Frank Dikötter is a historical book looking at the famine that was caused during China's 'Great Leap Forward'. It showcases the period from 1958-62 and why a series of decisions stemming from Chairman Mao resulted in the death of 30-45 million people. A reoccurring theme was being out of touch with reality, whether it be untested agricultural reforms, distorted data collection or continual lies bouncing from top to bottom. A truly sad period of history. Massive thanks to Petar & Queen Mother for the support. Would love to hear your feedback and appreciate any support you wish to give :) Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (2:18) - Themes/Questions (28:36) - Author & Extras (32:21) - Summary (35:06) - Value 4 Value (38:03) - Join Live! Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast
Thu, September 05, 2024
Is It Helpful To Question Everything? | The Problems Of Philosophy (Bertrand Russell) BOOK REVIEW
Praise be to the philosophers for the hard sciences! 'The Problems Of Philosophy' by Bertrand Russell is his attempt at explaining basic philosophy as well as giving a brief history of philosophical thought. He starts with questions about reality before expanding out with more and more questions. He covers the writings of some famous philosophers (Descartes, Kant, Hume, etc.,) and gives his own thoughts on why they were right or wrong. Would love to hear your feedback and appreciate any support you wish to give :) Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (1:49) - Themes/Questions (13:18) - Author & Extras (17:09) - Summary (21:59) - Value 4 Value (23:32) - Join Live! Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast
Thu, August 29, 2024
A Weird & Sexy Kidnapping | The Woman In The Dunes (Kobo Abe) BOOK REVIEW
Mr. Sandman, bring me some freedom. 'The Woman In The Dunes' by Kobo Abe is a rather simple story of a Japanese man who becomes trapped in the sand dunes. He is led into a large hole where a woman lives and is forced to help her keep sand from encroaching onto the nearby village. We witness his escape attempts and gradual process of getting accustomed to his new environment. It's told from his POV with snippets of external newspaper clippings. Huge thanks to BitpunkFM for supporting the podcast. Would love to hear your feedback and appreciate any support you wish to give :) Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (2:00) - Themes/Questions (13:34) - Author & Extras (16:32) - Summary (18:02) - Value 4 Value (21:05) - Join Live! Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast
Thu, August 15, 2024
Learnings from the Stoic King | Meditations (Marcus Aurelius) BOOK REVIEW
Welcome back to Mere Mortals book reviews! Today, we dive into the timeless wisdom of Marcus Aurelius' "Meditations." I'll share key learnings from the Penguin Classics edition. Join me as we explore profound Stoic insights that are just as relevant today as they were in ancient Rome. Don't miss out on these gems! (00:00) - Introduction and Overview (00:24) - Highlighting Key Learnings (01:04) - The Importance of Not Putting Things Off (02:18) - Embracing Present Tasks with Determination (03:48) - Urgency in Becoming Good (04:54) - Judging Events by Your Own Terms (06:14) - Welcoming Death as Part of Nature (07:12) - Reflecting on the Loss Through Death (08:04) - Final Thoughts and Viewer Engagement Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast
Thu, August 08, 2024
Stoicism from the Top | Meditations (Marcus Aurelius) BOOK REVIEW
Welcome back to Mere Mortals book reviews! Today, we're diving into Stoicism from the top with Marcus Aurelius' "Meditations." I'll share my thoughts and some interesting insights from the Penguin Classics edition. If you're new to Stoicism or curious about the Roman Emperor's personal reflections, this one's for you! (00:00) - Introduction and Overview (00:33) - Context and Historical Background (01:44) - The Purpose of "Meditations" (02:29) - Marcus Aurelius' Commitment to Stoicism (03:26) - Structure of the Penguin Classics Edition (04:51) - Notes and Annotations in the Book (05:35) - Personal Reflections and Journaling (07:03) - Timeless Wisdom and Relevance (08:31) - Marcus Aurelius' Writing Style (10:01) - Private Journal and Unique Perspective (11:17) - Reading Recommendations and Final Thoughts (12:30) - Closing Remarks and Viewer Engagement Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast
Thu, August 01, 2024
What can we learn from a kids book? | The Little Prince (Anotine de Saint-Exupery) BOOK LEARNINGS
In this learnings episode, I delve deeper into the lessons and philosophical insights from 'The Little Prince,' sharing my experience of reading it in French. Join me for a thoughtful exploration of this timeless classic. Timeline: 00:00 - Introduction 01:00 - Reading Experience 02:00 - Key Learnings 03:00 - Reflections and Advice Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast
Thu, July 25, 2024
Whimsical Wisdom | The Little Prince (Anotine de Saint-Exupery) BOOK REVIEW
In this review, I delve into the enchanting world of 'The Little Prince,' uncovering its profound lessons wrapped in a whimsical, childlike narrative. Join me as I explore its timeless themes and delightful illustrations. Timeline: 00:00 - Introduction 01:00 - Plot Summary 02:00 - Themes and Insights 03:00 - Personal Reflections Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast
Thu, July 18, 2024
Metaphysics On A Boat | Lila: An Inquiry Into Morals (Robert M. Pirsig) BOOK REVIEW
Philosophy that is actually fun to read & contemplate! 'Lila: An Inquiry Into Morals' by Robert M. Pirsig is a sequel to his very popular 'Zen & The Art Of Motorcycle Maintenance'. We follow Phaedrus this time sailing to New York and Florida. He meets an interesting lady called Lila who joins him on his adventure but causes him trouble. He's an intellectual philosopher and she's an emotional wild cat. It expands upon the metaphysics of quality and provides examples of his differentiation between Dynamic & Static Quality. Would love to hear your feedback and appreciate any support you wish to give :) Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (3:25) - Themes/Questions (16:57) - Author & Extras (23:33) - Summary (26:37) - Value 4 Value (28:14) - Join Live! Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast
Thu, July 11, 2024
A Violent Socialist Dystopia | The Iron Heel (Jack London) BOOK REVIEW
Future predictions that have NOT come true ..... kind of. 'The Iron Heel' by Jack London is a dystopian novel with a heavy political undertone (maybe even overtone) that wrongly might be called science fiction. Starts in 1900 America and told from the point of view of Avis who is seduced from her privileged upper class world by Ernest Everhard and his socialist philosophy. Increasing tensions occur between the dying middle/lower class and the capitalistic upper class, which results in revolution and an underground war. The Iron Heel oligarchs vs the Revolutionary socialists. Would love to hear your feedback and appreciate any support you wish to give :) Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (3:49) - Themes/Questions (11:22) - Author & Extras (18:38) - Summary (22:03) - Value 4 Value (23:01) - Join Live! Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast
Thu, July 04, 2024
The Network Is Supreme | New Rules For The New Economy (Kevin Kelly) BOOK REVIEW
Future predictions that have come true ..... kind of. 'New Rules For The New Economy' by Kevin Kelly are 10 rules that he predicted would change the world just as the internet was coming of age. Most of these are related to networks, increasing adoption of technology and the ability for information to spread cheaply. He makes a lot of generalities that did indeed seem to predict massive trends like social media and businesses like Amazon built from user data. However, the book is not specific in it's predictions, making them appear smarter with hindsight. Would love to hear your feedback and appreciate any support you wish to give :) Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (1:56) - Themes/Questions (8:42) - Author & Extras (10:49) - Summary (13:28) - Value 4 Value (15:02) - Join Live! Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast
Thu, June 27, 2024
Let Software Run Free | The Cathedral & The Bazaar (Eric S. Raymond) BOOK REVIEW
What is Open Source and why is it changing the world? 'The Cathedral & The Bazaar' by Eric S. Raymond is a collection of essays describing the ethics, philosophy, history and implementation of the Open Source movement. As computer hardware became available to larger groups many wanted to play & tinker with their devices. Closed Source software (owned by companies) was restrictive so people worldwide began to collaborate on projects that was free to download and use. This resulted in a unique culture and economic incentives that gave rise to hugely influential software like the Linux operating system. Would love to hear your feedback and appreciate any support you wish to give :) Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (1:45) - Themes/Questions (9:02) - Personal Lessons (17:41) - Author & Extras (21:33) - Summary (24:12) - Value 4 Value (26:13) - Join Live! Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast
Thu, June 20, 2024
Uncovering Stoic Learnigs | Lives of the stoics (Ryan Holiday) BOOK REVIEW
As I revisited "Lives of the Stoics" by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman, I discovered a wealth of insights and practical philosophies that deeply resonated with me. From understanding the importance of being a willing participant in life to the power of endurance and self-restraint, the book offers timeless wisdom for personal growth. Each philosopher's life story and teachings provided valuable lessons on how to navigate challenges and live a virtuous life. Join me as I share the key learnings that stood out and how they can be applied to our everyday lives. Timeline: (00:00) - Introduction to Learnings (00:37) - Fate and Willingness (02:16) - Be Wary of Ambition (03:23) - Anger and Patience (05:13) - Training vs. Resume Building (10:04) - Action Over Knowledge Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast
Thu, June 13, 2024
Uncovering Stoic Wisdom: Zeno to Marcus Aurelius | Lives of the stoics (Ryan Holiday) BOOK REVIEW
As I delved into "Lives of the Stoics" by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman, I was taken on a journey through the lives of Stoicism's greatest philosophers. From the foundational teachings of Zeno to the meditations of Marcus Aurelius, this book offers a practical guide to applying Stoic philosophy in everyday life. The chronological structure, detailed biographies, and insightful reflections made it a compelling read that not only provided historical context but also offered valuable lessons on resilience and greatness. Timeline: (00:00) - Discovering Timeless Wisdom (00:09) - Introduction to Book Review (00:30) - Ryan Holiday’s Opening (01:36) - Stoic Philosophers' Contributions (02:53) - Chronological Journey (06:12) - Final Thoughts and Recommendations Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast
Thu, May 30, 2024
A Study In Semantics | The Tyranny Of Words (Stuart Chase) BOOK REVIEW
We must blah blah the blah in order to blah the blah from blah. 'The Tyranny Of Words' by Stuart Chase is his attempt at furthering the field of semantics to the general public. He takes us through the general theory, how language is used compared to cats or primitive people, areas of human conversation that contain more precise meaning and plenty of examples of unclear language. It's split into 19 chapters and worth noting he was writing this in a time of great confusion. Communism, capitalism, fascism were all hot topics being argued fiercely in the build up to the subsequent war. Would love to hear your feedback and appreciate any support you wish to give :) Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (1:54) - Themes/Questions (12:49) - Author & Extras (17:36) - Summary (21:41) - Value 4 Value (23:03) - Join Live! Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast
Thu, May 23, 2024
Life, Liberty & Property | The Law (Frédéric Bastiat) BOOK REVIEW
To quote the great philosopher Judge Dredd .... "I am the law". 'The Law' by Frédéric Bastiat is a philosophical treatise that might get confused as political writing due to the subtitle. Bastiat argues that the law should be limited to a narrow subset of protection of natural rights, not to be philanthropic & interfere in people's lives. Mini sections are all throughout with plenty of quotes from the French Revolution and other French notables. I found it to be useful in thinking about how governments should use laws and agree with most of the principles within. Would love to hear your feedback and appreciate any support you wish to give :) Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (3:07) - Themes/Questions (12:59) - Author & Extras (17:51) - Summary (22:51) - Value 4 Value (24:49) - Join Live! Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast
Thu, May 16, 2024
Let's Break The Bank | More Money Than God (Sebastian Mallaby) BOOK REVIEW
Who is to blame for all the financial turmoil? 'More Money Than God' by Sebastian Mallaby is a history of US hedge funds. It details how they were created, notable people who worked in them and some of the legendary trades that occurred. It also goes over some of the larger financial bubbles (and subsequent crashes) that happened and contributions that hedge funds played in them. Would love to hear your feedback and appreciate any support you wish to give :) Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (2:08) - Themes/Questions (12:01) - Author & Extras (13:25) - Summary (17:56) - Value 4 Value (18:49) - Join Live! Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast
Thu, May 09, 2024
Be Useful by Arnold Schwarzenegger | Mere Mortals Learnings
Be Useful extends beyond mere autobiography to offer a blueprint for practical action and personal success. "Be Useful" is structured around pivotal themes like having a clear vision, the power of persistence, and the importance of community and support networks. Join us as we take a look at the memorable, key takeaways from the book tody! Timeline: (0:00) - Introduction (1:05) - Clear vision (3:06) - Winners circle (5:30) - Work hard (6:32) - Follow through (9:18) - Summary Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast
Thu, May 02, 2024
Be Useful, Goddammit | Be Useful (Arnold Schwarzenegger) BOOK REVIEW
Be Useful extends beyond mere autobiography to offer a blueprint for practical action and personal success. "Be Useful" is structured around pivotal themes like having a clear vision, the power of persistence, and the importance of community and support networks. At 260 pages, the book is an engaging read filled with actionable advice, personal anecdotes from Schwarzenegger's multifaceted life as a bodybuilder, actor, and governor, and reflections on setbacks and strategic successes. While it intertwines stories of resilience and the joys of giving back, Schwarzenegger emphasizes that everyone can make impactful contributions, not just celebrities. This book is recommended for those seeking a blend of motivation and real-world strategies to enhance their effectiveness and purpose in life. Timeline: (0:00) - Introduction (1:22) - Core themes (3:14) - Insights on success (5:15) - Stories of resilience (6:31) - Strategic success and influence (9:19) - Conclusion Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast
Wed, April 24, 2024
Unlocking Life's Lessons from 'Endure' by Cameron Hanes | Mere Mortals Key Takeaways
Dive into the core lessons extracted from Cameron Hanes's "Endure" in this special edition of Mere Mortals. From embracing the grind to finding strength in suffering, we explore six pivotal takeaways that resonate beyond the realms of ultra-running and bow hunting. Whether it's the power of action over words, the unforeseen teachings of life's dark moments, or the essence of unwavering commitment, these insights challenge us to reflect on our personal journeys. Join us as we dissect the nuances of perseverance, discipline, and the mental fortitude required to push beyond our limits. Share your thoughts and insights in the comments below! 00:23: Learning #1: The Power of Action and Living in the Present 01:33: Learning #2: Life's Unpredictable Struggles and Dark Lessons 03:37: Learning #3: The Significance of Work Ethic and Loyalty 06:05: Learning #4: Misery Loves Company - Shared Suffering as Connection 09:11: Learning #5: Perseverance and the Joy of the Chase in Running 13:14: Learning #6: Mental Strength and Overcoming Invisible Barriers 17:21: Reflections and Closing Thoughts on "Endure" Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect With the Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast
Wed, April 17, 2024
Beyond Bow Hunting and Ultra-Running | Endure (Cameron Hanes) BOOK REVIEW
Join us in this episode of Mere Mortals Book Reviews as we dive into "Endure" by Cameron Haines, with a foreword by Joe Rogan. Discover the unique blend of memoir, motivational manifesto, and a deep dive into the world of bow hunting and ultra-running. Despite its motivational peaks and intriguing insights into Cameron Hanes's life, the book's structure might leave you wanting more coherence. We explore the highs and lows, the repetitive nature, and the book's occasional disconnect with its imagery. Whether you're a fan of bow hunting, ultra-running, or seeking motivational fuel, find out if "Endure" is the read for you. Don't forget to share your thoughts in the comments and Boostagram in! 00:29: First Impressions and Background of Cameron Hanes 02:04: Book Structure 03:00: Chapter Structure Analysis - Prey, Predator, Ultimate Predator 03:29: Repetitiveness and Lack of Coherence 04:17: Key Themes: Suffering, Motivation, and Bow Hunting Insights 06:06: Personal Reflections and Critiques 07:31: The Book's Impact: Motivational Takeaways vs. The Overall Experience 08:55: Concluding Thoughts and Rating 13:14: Wrap-Up and How to Support Mere Mortals Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect With the Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast
Thu, April 11, 2024
The Spirit Of The Japanese Poem | Japanese Death Poems (Yoel Hoffmann) LEARNINGS
I explore the themes and insights from the book 'Japanese Death Poems' by Yoel Hoffman. I discussed the spirit of the Japanese people, their ability to embrace opposing ideas, and the complexity and simplicity of reality. I share selected death poems and provides analysis on their meaning. Reflecting on the fleeting nature of life and the importance of cherishing each moment. Finally, the delusion of death poems and emphasizing the value of embracing imperfection and taking action in life. Timeline: (0:00) - Introduction and Purpose (1:04) - The Spirit of the Japanese (3:53) - Selected Poems and Analysis (9:40) - The Last Day and the Delusion of Death Poems (12:51) - Conclusion and Takeaways Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast
Thu, April 04, 2024
Unravel The Soul's Final Whisper | Japanese Death Poems (Yoel Hoffmann) BOOK REVIEW
Japanese Death Poems by Yoel Hoffmann is a compelling anthology that explores the Japanese tradition of Jisei, or death poems. The book provides a deep dive into the cultural and historical significance of these poems, reflecting on the life, death, and impermanence of existence through the lens of Zen Buddhism. It is divided into three main sections: an introduction, death poems by Zen monks, and death poems by haiku poets. While the book may not offer practical takeaways, it offers a somber and thought-provoking perspective on life and death. Takeaways: Japanese Death Poems offers a unique insight into the cultural and historical significance of Jisei, or death poems. The book is structured into three main sections: an introduction, death poems by Zen monks, and death poems by haiku poets. Readers should approach the book with the expectation of philosophical contemplation rather than practical takeaways. Japanese Death Poems is recommended for those interested in exploring somber and thought-provoking perspectives on life and death. Timeline: (0:00) - Introduction to Japanese Death Poems (1:04) - Structure of the Book (3:31) - Structure of the Poems (4:30) - Understanding the Purpose of Death Poems (5:00) - Expectations and Practicality (6:17) - Recommendation and Reflection (7:35) - Summary and Final Thoughts Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast
Thu, March 28, 2024
Chivalry At It's Finest | Sir Gawain And The Green Knight (Unknown Poet) BOOK REVIEW
Would you have the fortitude to stick to your principles, even in the face of certain death? 'Sir Gawain And The Green Knight' by an unknown poet is a story from a 14th/15th century manuscript. It tells of Sir Gawain, a knight at Arthur's round table who accepts a challenge from a mysterious & magical being. This requires him to willingly offer up his life whilst first being tempted by the most beautiful lady in the land. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this little ditty and is a great example of poetry told in alliterative verse. Would love to hear your feedback and appreciate any support you wish to give :) Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (4:10) - Themes/Questions (8:30) - Moral Learnings (19:21) - Author & Extras (23:28) - Summary (26:36) - Value 4 Value (28:33) - Join Live! Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast
Thu, March 21, 2024
A Different Type Of Travel | The Innocents Abroad (Mark Twain) BOOK REVIEW
Let's travel back to the days when people didn't take offense so easily ...... or did they? 'The Innocents Abroad' by Mark Twain is a compendium of his adventures whilst travelling for 5 months across Europe & The Middle East. It is told in his usual humorous style of witty anecdotes and droll sarcastic one-liners. The bulk of it relates to visiting historic landmarks & places of cultural significance, with some parts on the actual travel journey itself. During his life it became his best selling book, also becoming renowned in the travel genre as well. Would love to hear your feedback and appreciate any support you wish to give :) Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (2:45) - Themes/Questions (15:44) - Author & Extras (19:32) - Summary (23:29) - Value 4 Value (25:04) - Join Live! Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast
Thu, March 14, 2024
Classic Feminist Literature | A Room Of One's Own (Virginia Woolf) BOOK REVIEW
Righteous anger can be useful .... if applied to the right people. 'A Room Of One's Own' by Virginia Woolf is an essay critiquing woman's literature and female authors. Her core argument is that the lack of financial means, privacy and strict social norms has resulted in the inability for females to write great books. And that it is not due inherent feminine weakness or lack of genius. She also emphasises that women need to write in their own voice and spends a fair bit of time criticising authors like Charlotte Brontë and Mary Carmichael who don't do this adequately (in her opinion). Would love to hear your feedback and appreciate any support you wish to give :) Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (1:49) - Themes/Questions (16:23) - Author & Extras (20:22) - Summary (23:05) - Value 4 Value (24:58) - Join Live! Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast
Thu, March 07, 2024
Overthinking Love, Death & Sex | Confessions Of A Mask (Yukio Mishima) BOOK REVIEW
Can you think yourself to death? 'Confessions Of A Mask' by Yukio Mishima follows a young rather frail boy called Kochan in the 1920-40's period in Tokyo set against the backdrop of WW2. We see his homosexual desires for another boy Omi emerge as well as a morbid fascination with blood, death and love. He tries to force himself to fall in love with a girl called Sonoko but struggles to combine this with his true feelings. Would love to hear your feedback and appreciate any support you wish to give :) Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (2:53) - Themes/Questions (10:57) - Author & Extras (12:55) - Summary (16:16) - Value 4 Value (17:31) - Join Live! Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast
Thu, February 29, 2024
Tiresome Edwardian Etiquette | A Room With A View (E. M. Forster) BOOK REVIEW
Manners, decorum, morals, tact, niceties, propriety. Doesn't this all sound fun! 'A Room With A View' by E. M. Forster is the tale of a young woman who is constrained by the conventions of her time. Lucy Honeychurch lives in 1900's England and meets the strange George Emerson whilst travelling to Italy. After a brief but intense contact she returns home and becomes engaged to the uptight Cecil Vyse. However coincidence throws the two back together and she has to decide whether to be a proper lady or do what would make her happy. Would love to hear your feedback and appreciate any support you wish to give :) Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (3:00) - Themes/Questions (13:11) - Author & Extras (19:10) - Summary (22:28) - Value 4 Value (26:53) - Join Live! Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast
Thu, February 22, 2024
Crazy Is As Crazy Does | Death Of A Salesman (Arthur Miller) BOOK REVIEW
Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. 'Death Of A Salesman' by Arthur Miller is a play that showcases the tragic life of a simple man with delusions of grandeur. Willy Loman is nearing the end of his days as a travelling salesman and the return of his son Biff pushes his instability into overdrive. Through a series of flashbacks we see how the whole family is suffering from their excessive pride before reaching an ultimate breaking point. Would love to hear your feedback and appreciate any support you wish to give :) Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (2:49) - Themes/Questions (9:08) - Author & Extras (10:19) - Summary (12:17) - Value 4 Value (16:31) - Join Live! Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast
Thu, February 15, 2024
When Real Life Gets Real Weird | Picnic In The Storm (Yukiko Motoya) BOOK REVIEW
Drop the dishes and let's get JACKED!!! 'Picnic In The Storm' by Yukiko Motoya is a series of 11 short stories of everyday life in Japan, but with a twist. So inside you'll find stories about a housewife getting jacked, a cat that won't stop peeing everywhere and couples that keep merging into one entity. They were kind of fun although I found them more random than anything else. Hope you appreciate the new shorter format and want to thank Cole for all his fabulous voice acting! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (3:17) - Questions/Themes (7:07) - Author & Extras (10:31) - Summary (12:51) - Value 4 Value (15:33) - Join Live! Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast
Thu, February 08, 2024
A Kind Man Becomes Ruthless | The Winter Of Our Discontent (John Steinbeck) BOOK REVIEW
Fret your silly head not, you won't leave this book discontented. 'The Winter Of Our Discontent' by John Steinbeck takes place in the fictional New Baytown where Ethan Hawley has become dissatisfied with his life. The lingering legacy of his family is in stark contrast to the life of grocery store clerk trying to support his family. He decides to change his circumstances but must act ruthlessly to gain what he wants. He spends a lot of time in his head moralising, giving a great insight into the compromises we must all face at times. Big thanks to Deezlaughs for the support, much appreciated! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (1:49) - Initial Impression (2:50) - Plot/Style (5:07) - Quote 1 (7:12) - Themes/Questions (10:04) - Quote 2 (16:00) - Author & Extras (18:38) - Quote 3 (20:45) - Summary (23:08) - Boostagram Lounge (24:42) - Value 4 Value Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Connect With Cole McCormick (Voice Actor): Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/colemccormick1 Podcast: https://fountain.fm/show/6705669
Thu, February 01, 2024
Propaganda I Can Get Behind | The Moon Is Down (John Steinbeck) BOOK REVIEW
A hidden gem of war time literature! 'The Moon Is Down' by John Steinbeck is a short simple tale written to encourage passive resistance. A small town in an unnamed country is taken over by an invading force. The townsfolk unhappy with this situation turn the tables by creating a hostile atmosphere that makes it a living hell for the aggressors. The backstory behind the impact of this book is actually quite fascinating! No boostagrams this week, you are actually making a sad puppy :'( But I do appreciate the comments on the YT channel. Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (1:34) - Initial Impression (3:01) - Plot/Style (5:53) - Quote 1 (8:59) - Themes/Questions (11:23) - Quote 2 (16:03) - Author & Extras (20:42) - Quote 3 (23:40) - Summary (25:44) - Boostagram Lounge (30:33) - Value 4 Value Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Connect With Cole McCormick (Voice Actor): Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/colemccormick1 Podcast: https://fountain.fm/show/6705669
Thu, January 25, 2024
The Digital Revolution Vs Printed Text | Book Wars (John B. Thompson) BOOK REVIEW
How much has the digital revolution changed the publishing industry? 'Book Wars' by John B. Thompson is an overview of how the internet and digitisation of books changed the publishing industry. It mostly covers the 2005-2018 period when Ebooks started gain popularity and momentum. It goes into extreme depth so be prepared to read through a lot of history, which makes it a comprehensive book. I quite enjoyed it for the unexpected outcomes that ran counter to intuition but also found it tedious at times to keep going through. Only one boostagram from Brian D O'Leary this week (which is very much appreciated). You are actually making a sad puppy :'( But I do appreciate the comments on the YT channel. Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (2:15) - Initial Impression (3:26) - Plot/Style (6:06) - Quote 1 (8:33) - Themes/Questions (15:07) - Quote 2 (22:55) - Author & Extras (26:34) - Quote 3 (30:04) - Summary (34:22) - Boostagram Lounge (36:52) - Value 4 Value Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Connect With Cole McCormick (Voice Actor): Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/colemccormick1 Podcast: https://fountain.fm/show/6705669
Thu, January 18, 2024
These Kinda Sucked | Why I Rarely Read New Books
Forgive me please, I'm about to turn into a hater. In today's episode I'm going over a couple of books that I disliked. The main point of this is to showcase my thinking on the types of things I won't read or dislike to read. Not going to lie, this wasn't my greatest episode ever. I was tired, sick and all my normal settings got disturbed before the live stream. Truly helped me be the greatest hater, bleh. Huge props to Deezlaughs for supporting the show, I really appreciate it! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (2:15) - Time eliminates untruths (6:24) - Supercharged emotions (10:42) - Communication style (15:52) - Purpose: Persuade, inform &/or entertain (20:40) - Exceptions to the rule (22:29) - Boostagram Lounge (25:03) - Value 4 Value Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast
Thu, January 11, 2024
Mass Media Disgusts Me | Manufacturing Consent (Edward S. Herman & Noam Chomsky) BOOK REVIEW
Politics, violence & propaganda; what an awful mix. 'Manufacturing Consent' by Edward S. Herman & Noam Chomsky explains the propaganda model of communications, which explains why mass media shows an overall biased view. They describe the 5 mechanisms that lead to heavy filtering of information before going over examples from the Vietnam War to Latin America politics. It's a book that made me super angry, distressed, disgusted and depressed. Has really reinforced my philosophy against violence/coercion and also my detestation of politics/mass media. Huge props to Deezlaughs for supporting the show, I really appreciate it! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (1:37) - Initial Impression (3:58) - Plot/Style (6:44) - Quote 1 (9:36) - Themes/Questions (16:09) - Quote 2 (19:40) - Authors & Extras (22:20) - Quote 3 (26:47) - Summary (31:41) - Boostagram Lounge (34:08) - Value 4 Value Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Connect With Cole McCormick (Voice Actor): Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/colemccormick1 Podcast: https://fountain.fm/show/6705669
Mon, January 08, 2024
What If? | Can't Hurt Me (David Goggins) BOOK REVIEW
Juan's back for a review. Join us on Mere Mortals for a renewed and deeper exploration of David Goggins' renowned book, 'Can't Hurt Me.' This revisit uncovers fresh insights and perspectives on Goggins' journey of mental toughness and self-transformation. Dive into our discussion about overcoming life's toughest challenges and the power of pushing beyond limits. Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (2:10) - Accountability Mirror (4:55) - Darkness (8:03) - Battle of the Mind (11:29) - Taking Souls (13:28) - Being Comfortable (14:56) - The 40% Rule (17:13) - Joy (19:45) - What If? (21:23) - Support Us Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast
Thu, January 04, 2024
Punished For The Greater Good | Darkness At Noon (Arthur Koestler) BOOK REVIEW
Sometimes punishments just can't make up for the crime. 'Darkness At Noon' by Arthur Koestler is a taste of a political prisoner's experience during the Moscow Trials. Rubashov is a high ranking party member that has been thrown in jail and accused of crimes against the Revolution. It follows his detention over a several week period as he is tortured and comes to realise the terrible things he has done in the name of 'the greater good'. Huge props to Petar and Ashley Glenday for supporting, really appreciate it! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (1:33) - Initial Impression (2:56) - Plot/Style (5:50) - Quote 1 (8:10) - Themes/Questions (12:27) - Quote 2 (17:20) - Author & Extras (19:37) - Quote 3 (24:42) - Summary (29:12) - Boostagram Lounge (31:09) - Value 4 Value Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Connect With Cole McCormick (Voice Actor): Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/colemccormick1 Podcast: https://fountain.fm/show/6705669
Thu, December 28, 2023
Who Is The Real Savage? | The Last Of The Mohicans (James Fenimore Cooper) BOOK REVIEW
Aiiiiiiii aiaiaiaia aiiiyayayaiaaia! 'The Last Of The Mohicans' by James Fenimore Cooper is a work of historical fiction set during the colonisation of the United States Of America. It follows the dangerous adventures of a mixed group of native Indians and English settlers as they are plagued by adversaries. The dialogue can be a bit hard to interpret at times but the portrayal of untouched nature is beautiful and the constant surprises keep you on your toes. No support again this week, need to pick this up people. Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (1:29) - Initial Impression (2:41) - Plot/Style (6:13) - Quote 1 (8:20) - Themes/Questions (12:35) - Quote 2 (19:14) - Author & Extras (22:40) - Quote 3 (26:26) - Summary (29:57) - Boostagram Lounge (32:55) - Value 4 Value Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Connect With Cole McCormick (Voice Actor): Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/colemccormick1 Podcast: https://fountain.fm/show/6705669
Thu, December 21, 2023
The New Economy Of Zero | Free (Chris Anderson) BOOK REVIEW
You wouldn't steal a car .... but I would download one! 'Free ' by Chris Anderson is an argument for why online abundance has changed the way businesses run and that this trend is only going to continue. He looks at various types of companies/products and shows how zero marginal costs result in 4 outcomes: direct cross-subsidies, the three-party market, freemium and nonmonetary markets. I read this mostly for more material to use on my 'Value 4 Value' podcast so it was part work and part pleasure. A solid book if you're interested in how digital abundance has changed the world. No support this week :'( Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (1:27) - Initial Impression (2:44) - Plot/Style (5:17) - Quote 1 (7:07) - Themes/Questions (12:08) - Quote 2 (18:19) - Author & Extras (22:44) - Quote 3 (25:23) - Summary (28:44) - Boostagram Lounge (33:21) - Value 4 Value Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Connect With Cole McCormick (Voice Actor): Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/colemccormick1 Podcast: https://fountain.fm/show/6705669
Thu, December 14, 2023
How Would Aliens Wage War? | The Three-Body Problem (Cixin Liu) BOOK REVIEW
Who will end humanity first, the aliens or us?! 'The Three-Body Problem' by Cixin Liu is a sci-fi novel involving aliens, science, warfare and politics. Unexplainable events start to occur to scientists after contact has been made with the Trisolaris world. We gradually learn about their unique ecosystem and why humanity might be in danger not just from the outside, but also within. I loved the first 2/3rds of the book for it's distinctive plot/style but was slightly disappointed at how rushed the end felt. Was still a great read overall though. Thanks to Petar and Joe Martin for supporting the show. Absolute legends! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (1:15) - Initial Impression (2:20) - Plot/Style (6:10) - Quote 1 (8:26) - Themes/Questions (9:37) - Quote 2 (15:00) - Themes/Questions (Continued) (18:34) - Author & Extras (21:10) - Quote 3 (24:54) - Summary (27:47) - Boostagram Lounge (30:36) - Value 4 Value Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Connect With Cole McCormick (Voice Actor): Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/colemccormick1 Podcast: https://fountain.fm/show/6705669
Thu, December 07, 2023
Aussie Battlers Trying To Get By | The Harp In The South (Ruth Park) BOOK REVIEW
Prepare for your heartstrings to be plucked. 'The Harp In The South' by Ruth Park is a classic Australian book detailing the lives of the poverty stricken Darcy family. This fictional family lives in Surry Hills, which in the 1930's was an inner city slum of Sydney. There is no plot per se as it simply follow the lives of this small family, with particular attention shown to the young daughter Roie. The events that unfold are tragic but they battle through to find the moments of love that make all the pain bearable. Thanks to Cole McCormick & Sam Sethi for supporting the show. Absolute legends! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (1:03) - Initial Impression (2:16) - Plot/Style (4:34) - Young Love (6:30) - Themes/Questions (10:30) - Poverty (16:27) - Author & Extras (19:12) - Aussie Issues (23:04) - Summary (26:16) - Boostagram Lounge (28:29) - Value 4 Value Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Connect With Cole McCormick (Voice Actor): Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/colemccormick1 Podcast: https://fountain.fm/show/6705669
Thu, November 30, 2023
Technological Predictions Of The Future | The Inevitable (Kevin Kelly) BOOK REVIEW
Will the psychology of humans be compatible with the predicted tech future we face? 'The Inevitable' by Kevin Kelly is a series of technological trends that he believes will dictate the future. It is primarily based on what is already happening and his educated guess as to how this will manifest in a couple of decades time. It is broken down into 12 themes which interact and merge with each other. It is somewhat utopic in nature but I feel does a decent job of showcasing what could be possible and at the very least is thought provoking. Thanks to Cole McCormick from the AMERICAPLUS podcast for the guest voice-over and Cole/Sam Sethi for the support. Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (1:43) - Initial Impression (3:38) - Plot/Style (5:31) - Quote 1 (7:48) - Themes/Questions (8:16) - Quote 2 (11:26) - Privacy & Utopias (17:06) - Author & Extras (18:54) - Quote 3 (20:43) - Summary (25:15) - Boostagram Lounge (29:55) - Value 4 Value Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Connect With Cole McCormick (Voice Actor): Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/colemccormick1 Podcast: https://fountain.fm/show/6705669
Thu, November 23, 2023
Deep Or Nonsensical? | The Prophet (Kahlil Gibran) BOOK REVIEW
It's a fine line between conveying deep insights vs being overly mystical. 'The Prophet' by Kahlil Gibran is a quick read that maybe shouldn't be quick. It has a simple plot setup of a prophet answering questions to townsfolk he is about to leave and never see again. They ask him to speak on 26 topics and he delivers a short poetic response in reply. At times it does seem to hold a deeper wisdom but some of them seemed overly complicated and obtuse. Thanks to Ashley Glenday and Juan for supporting the show. And a reminder that you'll now be able to listen in live via a Podcasting 2.0 app! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (1:28) - Initial Impression (2:49) - Plot/Style (6:41) - Themes/Questions (10:57) - Author & Extras (14:45) - Summary (18:19) - Boostagram Lounge (20:35) - Value 4 Value Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast
Mon, November 20, 2023
One Breath at a Time | Breath (James Nestor) BOOK REVIEW
Today, I'm discussing "Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art" by James Nestor, one of my top book recommendations. This book brilliantly combines storytelling with scientific research, exploring the profound impact of breathing on our health and well-being. Nestor's personal journey to understand breathing is interwoven with just the right amount of technical detail, making it an engaging and enlightening read. For those interested in deeper exploration, the book provides extensive research references. It's a perfect read for anyone curious about the science behind one of our most basic yet transformative abilities. Highly recommended for its insightful and transformative approach. Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (1:20) - Synopsis (6:55) - Breathing (8:40) - Takeaways Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast
Thu, November 16, 2023
When Wit Becomes Dull | The Happy Prince & Other Stories (Oscar Wilde) BOOK REVIEW
Sometimes you really can be too outlandish. 'The Happy Prince & Other Stories' by Oscar Wilde are a collection of short stories. They have a childlike feel and are almost like fairytales except the moral of the story seems to be missing or is rather bleak. I've also included my review of 'The Importance Of Being Earnest', a separate play that showcases Wilde's wit and ability to construct a humorous narrative. Thanks to everyone for sending in kind messages about my Mum. Very much appreciated! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (1:21) - Initial Impression (3:07) - Plot/Style (7:53) - Themes/Questions (12:30) - Author & Extras (17:01) - Summary (19:39) - Boostagram Lounge (22:41) - Value 4 Value Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Support the show
Thu, November 09, 2023
Hardship Meets Kinship | Cloudstreet (Tim Winton) BOOK REVIEW
The grittier Australian version of magic realism. 'Cloudstreet' by Tim Winton follows the merging lives of two families (the Lamb's & the Pickle's) as they move into a shared house in Perth. We see the hardships that individual characters go through and how family and kinship is what saves them. It incorporates real life events with absurd fictional elements to give a taste of Aussie life in the 1940's-1960's. Huge thanks to Sir TJ The Wrathful & Ashley Glenday for supporting the show. Very much appreciated! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (1:16) - Initial Impression (3:01) - Plot/Style (8:40) - Themes/Questions (18:22) - Author & Extras (21:25) - Summary (24:00) - Boostagram Lounge (27:28) - Value 4 Value Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Support the show
Mon, October 30, 2023
Fun Classy Paisanos | Tortilla Flat (John Steinbeck) BOOK REVIEW
Never have I ever more wanted to be a homeless peasant! 'Tortilla Flat' by John Steinbeck is the tale of how an eclectic bunch of friends live together in Monterey. Danny becomes a house owner and experiences the highs and lows of a raised social status. To help Danny his friends begin living with him and hijinks ensue. They rotate between fights, wine, fire and women whilst being lovable rascals. Huge thanks to Cole McCormick for supporting the show. Very much appreciated! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (1:00) - Initial Impression (2:19) - Plot/Style (9:06) - Themes/Questions (15:57) - Author & Extras (20:10) - Summary (24:24) - Boostagram Lounge (28:28) - Value 4 Value Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Support the show
Mon, October 23, 2023
Boring Oratory | On Government (Cicero) BOOK REVIEW
Hopefully I'm not as boring as Cicero is ..... but don't count on it! 'On Government' by Cicero is a collection of his writings set out in a chronological format. The large bulk are orations he delivered in front of the senate (or law court) and some smaller sections on his ideals for what a government should look like. I found it pretty boring to be honest but did give me some historical insights into the time period of ~100-0 BC and showcased why politics has always been a shitshow. Huge thanks to Petar & Cole McCormick for supporting the show. Very much appreciated! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (1:04) - Initial Impression (3:08) - Plot/Style (9:27) - Themes/Questions (18:56) - Author & Extras (22:31) - Summary (25:32) - Boostagram Lounge (27:29) - Value 4 Value Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Support the show
Thu, October 19, 2023
More Than Words on a Page | The Daily Dad (Ryan Holiday) BOOK REVIEW
Join me as I dive into the heartwarming and insightful pages of "The Daily Dad" by Ryan Holiday, exploring 366 meditations on fatherhood, love, and raising great kids. This book, structured to be read daily, offers a unique blend of historical context, stoic principles, and practical advice, all condensed into one-page chapters. I share my personal journey of reading it aloud to my baby girl, turning it into a cherished daily ritual and sparking meaningful conversations with mypartner. Discover how this book, meant to be revisited year after year, can offer new perspectives and become a timeless guide for all. Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Support the show
Mon, October 16, 2023
Sex, Beer & Mail? | Post Office (Charles Bukowski) BOOK REVIEW
What's it really like to work in the United States Post Office? 'Post Office' by Charles Bukowski is a fictional yet semi-autobiographical account of Henry Chinaski working as a mailman/clerk in the post office. His life sucks and gets increasingly worse as he deals with frustrating bureaucracy and seeks escape through sex, gambling and alcohol. Huge thanks to Ashley Glenday for supporting the podcast. Very much appreciated. Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (2:40) - Initial Impression (4:42) - Plot/Style (9:05) - Themes/Questions (17:54) - Author & Extras (19:59) - Summary (24:44) - Boostagram Lounge (28:10) - Value 4 Value Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Support the show
Mon, October 09, 2023
War, Anger & Revenge | If Not Now, When? (Primo Levi) BOOK REVIEW
Will the Jews ever find a peaceful resting place? 'If Not Now, When?' by Primo Levi is a fictional story of Jewish partisans surviving behind German lines during WWII. It follows Mendel as he tries to forget about his suffering/pain but is constantly reminded of his deceased wife and the uprooting of his life. He joins a band trying to escape the horrors of war but is constantly drawn into conflict and revenge. Huge thanks to Cole McCormick and Ashley Glenday for supporting the podcast. Very much appreciated. Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (1:42) - Initial Impression (3:43) - Plot/Style (10:42) - Themes/Questions (18:17) - Author & Extras (20:44) - Summary (24:02) - Boostagram Lounge (28:17) - V4V Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Support the show
Thu, September 28, 2023
Trauma & Healing | The Body Keeps The Score (Bessel Van Der Kolk)
How can you heal a damaged mind? 'The Body Keeps The Score' by Bessel Van Der Kolk is a book focused on mental health plus the what/why's of PTSD and trauma. It's split into 5 parts dealing with history, brain science, child abuse, memory and healing strategies. It has a mix of case studies, hard/soft science and personal opinion. I summarised the book as follows. "It's a dense read that was more scientific than not. The tone was empathetic and despite being about heavy topics it focused on the positive of how trauma could be overcome. I didn't learn much new information but it did make me grateful for my upbringing and understanding of why other people behave how they do." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:31) - Synopsis (3:58) - Trauma: Why all the acronyms? (9:17) - Healing: Strategies for recovery (18:03) - Observations/Takeaways (25:18) - Summary Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Support the show
Tue, September 26, 2023
A Change Is Gonna Come | September 2023 Recap
I'm changing up the book review channel and starting a book club. In September 2023 we reviewed 4 books on the channel. No real standouts to be honest so instead I'll mention why and how I'm going to do things differently. Basically I'm putting in a lot of effort but don't feel like I'm getting much value in return. So I'm going to streamline the process by doing them live, focusing less on creating highly detailed notes/images and by trying to engage more with you, the readers at home. Big thanks to Cole McCormick (from the America+ podcast) and Ashley Glenday for supporting the show. Very much appreciated! I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:45) - Bitter Orange Tree: Jokha Alharthi (3:55) - The Diving Bell & The Butterfly: Jean-Dominique Bauby (5:27) - Swearing Is Good For You: Emma Byrne (6:48) - Zen & The Art Of Motorcycle Maintenance: Robert M. Pirsig (8:33) - Boostagram Lounge (11:33) - Coming Up In October 2023 (12:56) - Changes To The Channel (17:53) - V4V: Would You Join A Book Club? Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Support the show
Thu, September 21, 2023
Torture Or Freedom? | The Diving-Bell And The Butterfly (Jean-Dominique Bauby)
What's it like to lose your own body? 'The Diving-Bell And The Butterfly' by Jean-Dominique Bauby is a short memoir describing life with locked-in syndrome. It's a mix of personal recollections before his life altering stroke and daily hospital trivialities afterwards. He focuses on the hardships of being trapped within a mute body but the joy of unlocking his mind. I summarised the book as follows. "A complex series of emotions arise whilst reading. Heartbreak, mirth, horror & fascination all alter quite rapidly due to the small chapters. It is written in that journalistic editorial style so never gets too deep on anything, also understandable because of the way he had to 'write' the book. Ultimately it's a tragedy and a reminder to enjoy what you have." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:29) - Synopsis (3:44) - The Body: Trapped within yourself (9:09) - The Mind: Unlimited possibilities (13:49) - Observations/Takeaways (17:39) - Summary Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Support the show
Thu, September 14, 2023
Lost Dreams & Lament | Bitter Orange Tree (Jokha Alharthi)
Don't weep for lost dreams, they were never real to begin with. 'Bitter Orange Tree' by Jokha Alharthi is a fictional series of recollections told by a young Omani woman about her life, family and relationships. It mostly focuses on her grandmother's tribulations and her own personal grief/regret of her passing away. I summarised the book as follows. "I came in to this blank was pleasantly surprised considering it is outside of my normal genre's of reading. There are some nice cultural insights to take away and I was impressed by the qualities of fortitude and hardiness found in the grandmother. The constant style of switching back and forth was ok for this book, but certainly would get tiresome if I read more like this." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:31) - Synopsis (3:20) - Lost Dreams: Accepting the bitter reality of life (12:02) - Lament: A passionate expression of grief (18:04) - Observations/Takeaways (21:33) - Summary Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Support the show
Thu, September 07, 2023
Watch Your Profanity ... Or Don't | Swearing Is Good For You (Emma Byrne)
Fucking hell that's a bit shit ya dawg. 'Swearing Is Good For You' by Emma Byrne is a popular science book detailing the positive aspects of profanity. It tackles this by somewhat providing the who/what/when/where/why/how using case studies and observations. There is data mixed in with her own humour and research she conducted as a scientist. I summarised the book as follows. "This was just about acceptable for me. I really prefer nuance but this book had what seemed an unnecessary agenda to really PROVE that swearing is a good thing (maybe because I'm Aussie I take that for granted). I'm not doubting any of the science she provided by overall it still felt a bit shallow and one-sided." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:34) - Synopsis (2:12) - Swearing: Taboo or not taboo, that is the question (12:22) - Observations/Takeaways (17:43) - Summary Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Support the show
Thu, August 31, 2023
Journey, Philosophy & Quality | Zen And The Art Of Motorcycle Maintenance (Robert M. Pirsig)
Hey Mere Mortalites! Juan here. I've just journeyed through 'Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance,' where road trips meet deep philosophical dives. Let's unravel the adventure, the metaphysics of Quality, and see why this classic might just redefine your understanding of life. Join me as we ride through Pirsig's masterpiece!
Sat, August 26, 2023
Name Me A Better Author | August 2023 Recap
Mark Twain is a superb author, who else do you really enjoy? In August 2023 I reviewed 4 books on this channel. Although it wasn't the best of the month I did really enjoy 'Roughing It'. I really just do think Mark Twain knocks it out of the park with his books. Big thanks to Cole McCormick (from the America+ podcast) and Petar for supporting the show. Very much appreciated! I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:35) - Fantastic authors are rare (2:05) - Amusing Ourselves To Death: Neil Postman (4:43) - Roughing It: Mark Twain (6:19) - The Long Tail: Chris Anderson (8:42) - Island Of The Blue Dolphins: Scott O'Dell (9:29) - Boostagram Lounge (11:43) - Coming up in Sep 2023 (13:25) - V4V: 1 more month until changes Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Support the show
Thu, August 24, 2023
Wild West & Heavenly Hawaii | Roughing It (Mark Twain)
Let's pack it up and go strike it rich! 'Roughing It' by Mark Twain is a collection of rambling anecdotes from his travels as a younger man. It details his travels to the Wild West during the California gold rush, working as a journalist in San Francisco and crossing the Pacific Ocean to reach the Kingdom of Hawaii. There are many funny stories within and is semi-autobiographical but with plenty of fictional inventions as well. I summarised the book as follows. "I'm a huge fan of Mark Twain in general and this book didn't let me down. It really has everything: entertaining, informational, a unique perspective, historical, funny, etc,. My favourite part was the middle section and the only way to make it better would have been if it was slightly shorter." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:27) - Synopsis (3:19) - America: Capturing it's spirit (12:30) - Nature: Seeing is believing (18:13) - Observations/Takeaways (22:49) - Summary Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Support the show
Thu, August 17, 2023
Surviving Alone With Only Animals For Company | Island Of The Blue Dolphins (Scott O'Dell)
Would you read this to your child? 'Island Of The Blue Dolphins' by Scott O'Dell is a fictional children's novel (loosely based on a real story) of a lone girl living on an island. Karana (12) has to fend for herself after being left behind by her tribe. She must use survival skills to weather through storms, feed herself and stay safe from wild dogs and other animals. I summarised the book as follows. "It's a nice and sad story at the same time. Ultimately it's made for kids so personally it didn't do that much for me. But there are lots of nice themes for kids to dig into and I could see this being a great launching point for fun topics of discussion." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:28) - Synopsis (2:19) - Animals: The band-aid for loneliness (6:56) - Survival: Little room for pity or nicety (12:44) - Observations/Takeaways (17:30) - Summary Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Support the show
Thu, August 10, 2023
Online Choice Changed Business Forever | The Long Tail (Chris Anderson)
If you had all the choice in the world, what would you do? 'The Long Tail' by Chris Anderson is an exposition of how greater access to choices of products has altered business practices. Greater value can be unlocked from producers selling to consumers via better aggregation methods such as digitisation and rating systems. This has had huge impacts on music/market places/culture and given rise to massive companies like Amazon, Netflix and Google. I summarised the book as follows. "It's a great explanation of a phenomena and trend. Generates a compelling argument of why all these companies arose with links to the deeper principles behind them. I think there are some limitations of how the long tail will apply to future trends (AI/social media/3D printing) but did a great job of explaining at the time. It could have been slightly shorter and it is a little bit dated but it gave me a lot of insights into economic and market dynamics." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:34) - Synopsis (2:52) - The Market: How supply & demand interact (14:45) - Economics: Clearing up misconceptions (30:21) - Observations/Takeaways (34:43) - Summary Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Support the show
Thu, August 03, 2023
Why Television Kills Rationality | Amusing Ourselves To Death (Neil Postman)
Will TV be the death of us? 'Amusing Ourselves To Death' by Neil Postman is an argument of why television as a medium lessens rational discourse and ultimately is a bad trade-off for society. The first part focuses on the past, in particular how typography is serious and encourages critical thinking. The second part demonstrates how TV is predominantly about entertainment and is negatively effecting politics, education, religion and advertising. I summarised the book as follows. "I loved this, but it's only for certain types of people. If you are fascinated by communication & languages, marketing & media or how society is impacted by change then you will like this. You'll also need a broad base to begin with as he covers many historical topics and references a lot of things." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:31) - Synopsis (3:14) - The Medium: The way information is conveyed (10:14) - Amusements: The seriousness of Huxleyan mindlessness (22:03) - Observations/Takeaways (28:12) - Summary Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Support the show
Sat, July 29, 2023
Appreciating The Style | July 2023 Recap
15 years late but I'm starting to develop some taste! In July 2023 we reviewed 5 books on this channel. My two favourites of this month both have what I would call 'style'. The content within them was interesting but what made them stand out was the way they were written. I used to really suck at understanding this as artsy type things were never intuitive for me. But I think reading a lot of fiction over the last couple of years has made me understand why these unquantifiable factors can make a big difference. Big thanks to Cole McCormick (from the America+ podcast), Petar & The Wild Hustle for supporting the show. Very much appreciated! I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (2:36) - No Longer Human: Osamu Dazai (6:31) - Fiesta/The Sun Also Rises: Ernest Hemingway (8:43) - Energy/A Human History: Richard Rhodes (14:02) - The Double: Fyodor Dostoyevsky (14:54) - Discipline Is Destiny: Ryan Holiday (17:01) - Boostagram Lounge (21:47) - Housekeeping (27:14) - Coming up in August 2023 (29:35) - V4V: Give me a recommendation Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Support the show
Thu, July 27, 2023
Is Nuclear The Future? | Energy: A Human History (Richard Rhodes)
Technology is going so fast I can't see .... ahhhhhh ..... 'Energy: A Human History' by Richard Rhodes is a brief flash through 400 years of human technology and history. It begins in the 1600's and shows the transition from wood to coal/steam to oil/gas and to nuclear (and beyond). It is comprised of stories and told via the numerous inventions of innovators across the centries. I summarised the book as follows. "It's thick & lengthy but it doesn't feel like a tome. The overall theme felt relatively unbiased but I'm sure many of the stories were spruced up a bit. Unless you haven't read much history there's nothing astoundingly new, however there's nuggets of great info that can be useful to know later." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:31) - Synopsis (3:37) - Technology: The art/craft of unlocking energy (11:04) - Transitions: Why do they take so long? (25:55) - Observations/Takeaways (33:50) - Summary Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Support the show
Thu, July 20, 2023
Partying With The Bulls In Pamplona | Fiesta: The Sun Also Rises (Ernest Hemingway)
Partying hard and losing friends! 'Fiesta: The Sun Also Rises' by Ernest Hemingway is a roman-à-clef depicting 1920's life in Europe after WW1. It is told from the point of view of Jake Barnes an American expat living in France. He joins his friends for a week long party in Pamplona to watch the running of the bulls but it all turns into a drunken fiasco. I summarised the book as follows. "Hemingway's style is as unique as he was. It can kind of seem unrealistic due to the amount of partying, alcohol and lack of sleep, but there are some pretty wild people in this world. I enjoyed it for the prose but am not a fan of non-consensual violence, even if it was intriguing to learn about the atmosphere of the fiesta and bullfighting." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:39) - Synopsis (3:06) - Friendship: Sometimes you need to cut the edge (8:53) - Passion: Not a free ride (15:52) - Observations/Takeaways (22:01) - Summary Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Support the show
Thu, July 13, 2023
Alienation & Liberation | No Longer Human (Osamu Dazai)
Appreciate what you have, we're not all born the same. 'No Longer Human' by Osamu Dazai is a series of notebooks depicting the short life of a troubled Japanese boy, set in Tokyo after WW1. Ōba Yōzō is born different to everyone else and has a feeling of alienation and estrangement from society. He tries to mask this via acting, expression through art and ultimately self destruction. It is strongly autobiographical and follows many of the events that occurred in Dazai's life. I summarised the book as follows. "Wow! This hits hard and yet doesn't have the emotional burden of a Russian/German equivalent novel. I think this is because the Japanese style is elegant & whilst depressing still shows moments of gaiety and everyday life. It's a beautiful book with an amazing title written by an unfortunate but very talented man." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:30) - Synopsis (3:01) - Alienation: Estrangement from a social group (7:43) - Liberation: Release from imprisonment & oppression (14:20) - Observations/Takeaways (20:50) - Summary Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/support Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Support the show
Thu, July 06, 2023
Face To Face With Your Worst Enemy | The Double (Fyodor Dostoyevsky)
I have vicious enemies who have vowed to ruin me! 'The Double' by Fyodor Dostoyevsky is a short tale of a man who encounters a double of himself. Yakov Petrovich Golyadkin is a titular councillor living in St Petersburg during the 1800's. He starts to suffer from schizophrenic delusions and behaves bizarrely at work and amongst colleagues with increasingly severe outcomes. I summarised the book as follows. "I found it quite lackluster, even insipid if allowed my double to be mean. No themes jumped out at me and I didn't feel there was any real depth to it. Unfortunately I found it rather forgettable and probably should have dropped reading it earlier." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:34) - Synopsis (2:59) - Schizophrenia: Lunacy & persecution (8:42) - Observations/Takeaways (13:07) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Support the show
Thu, June 29, 2023
Why You Need More Discipline In Your Life | Discipline Is Destiny (Ryan Holiday)
Ryan Holiday is a well-known author, and some of his notable works include "The Obstacle Is the Way," "Ego Is the Enemy," and "Stillness Is the Key." which we have all covered in this channel. His latest entry into the stoic series, Discipline is Destiny, is a master work from Ryan. Enjoy the review and leave any comments below. Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Support the show
Tue, June 27, 2023
Books That Hit At The Right Time | June 2023 Recap
Sometimes you come across the answers you're looking for, even if they aren't what you want to hear. In June 2023 I reviewed 4 books on this channel. This was a month of learning for me and I received some good lessons from these books. It kind of centred around two things. One, if you dwell on negative thoughts and try to use 'feeling like an outsider' as justification for behaving badly, you're going to end up bitter and alone. Two, it is exceedingly easy to believe real evidence but miss the greater picture of what is going on. So you really need to work hard to analyse all the various reasons to determine the 'real' truth. Big thanks to Cole McCormick (from the America+ podcast) and Ashley Glenday for supporting the show. Very much appreciated! I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro & clarifications (2:37) - The Temple Of The Golden Pavilion: Yukio Mishima (5:11) - Notes From Underground: Fyodor Dostoyevsky (7:10) - The Crucible: Arthur Miller (9:38) - Merchants Of Doubt: Naomi Oreskes & Erik M. Conway (14:04) - Shoutouts & Support (15:19) - Coming In July 2023 (17:24) - Value For Value: The 3 T's Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Support the show
Thu, June 22, 2023
When Science Gets Distorted | Merchants Of Doubt (Naomi Oreskes & Erik M. Conway)
I reject your doubt and substitute my own. 'Merchants Of Doubt' by Naomi Oreskes & Erik M. Conway is a historical recount of the scientific debate regarding the effects of smoking, the DDT insecticide, chlorofluorocarbons and burning fossil fuels. The evidence proved there was health and environmental damage but a group of individual scientists waged a campaign to seed doubt against the science. I summarised the book as follows. "It started solid but slid into subjective opinion towards the end. It was quite illuminating when they stuck to the book's subtitle but personally I would only read the first third or first half if I had to read it again." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:37) - Synopsis (2:26) - Merchants: Buyers & sellers of commodities for profit (12:03) - Doubt: Uncertainty, distrust & hesitation (17:56) - Observations/Takeaways (29:26) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Support the show
Thu, June 15, 2023
Intellectual Yet Irrational | Notes From Underground (Fyodor Dostoyevsky)
Gentlemen, I will fight against the stone wall of twice two is four! 'Notes From Underground' by Fyodor Dostoyevsky are the semi-insane rambling of an unnamed narrator in St Petersburg during the 19th century. It's split into two parts: a bitter monologue addressed to society and then his miserable life as a civil servant in his younger years. As typical of Russian novels (especially Dostoyevsky) it centres around suffering, morality, cold winters and reason. I summarised the book as follows. "It takes time for this book to sink in. I was initially unimpressed in my reading but more appreciative with a bit reflection afterwards (although Part 2 is still meh in my opinion). The Underground Man is a rather sad blend of nihilism, anger, pity & insight. He's not to be emulated but was identifiable as someone who used their intellect in a way that wasn't that smart." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:37) - Synopsis (2:21) - Nihilism: Why do anything? (7:30) - Irrational Rationality: The outcome of trying to fight Nature's laws (12:04) - Observations/Takeaways (19:14) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Support the show
Thu, June 08, 2023
Hysterical Salem Witch Trials | The Crucible (Arthur Miller)
There be wicked witchcraft afoot! 'The Crucible' by Arthur Miller is a fictionalised play depicting the 1692-93 Salem witch trials. It centres around John Proctor & the accusation against his wife Elizabeth (followed subsequently by his denunciation). There are 4 Acts which take place in various locations across the town. As it was written as a play, it mostly contains dialogue between characters, with some minor introductions to begin with. I summarised the book as follows. "It conveys a sinking hopelessness, a black mark on humanity and not on the devil. It actually scares me because this is really a modern story of vengeance, fear, guilt and hysteria. It works amazing even in a literary form and if it weren't for the fact that it made me rather depressed about human foibles I would be raving about it more." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:28) - Synopsis (4:18) - Mass Hysteria: Illness without cause (12:20) - Martyrs: Death for refusing to comply (19:06) - Observations/Takeaways (23:29) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Support the show
Thu, June 01, 2023
Deep Torment Followed By Respite | The Temple Of The Golden Pavilion (Yukio Mishima)
If you can burn away all the pain, should you take that path? 'The Temple Of The Golden Pavilion' by Yukio Mishima is a fictionalised account of real events concerning a temple in Kyoto in the 1940's. Mizoguchi a young acolyte become enamoured & then disillusioned by the Golden Temple. He experiences growing frustration due to his stutter & lack of connection to females, which leads to a climatic fiery end. I summarised the book as follows. "A book you could analyse thoroughly, perhaps even too much! It's a glimpse into the mind of a wild author via a troubled boy. The beauty aspect feels slightly overdone but the narrative & internal self-talk is so identifiable. It was actually helpful for me in knowing what to avoid when I feel inner turmoil." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:29) - Synopsis (3:32) - Torment: Physical or mental suffering (8:53) - Respite: How to relieve the suffering (17:39) - Observations/Takeaways (23:00) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Support the show
Tue, May 30, 2023
War, Love, Technology & Science | May 2023 Recap
Is it possible to choose only the best books to read? In May 2023 we reviewed 4 books on this channel. Love is such a weird word. It seems to mean so many things that I personally find it almost useless. And part of this is due to 'love' stories that seem to me nothing but flighty fancies and lust (looking at you Thomas Hardy). But there are others like 'The Debacle' which I feel actually do showcase what 'real love' is. Super subjective opinion there, but hey, that's basically what love is haha. Big sad puppy on the boostagrams, I'm going to have to change some things up. I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Live and raring (0:36) - The Debacle: Émile Zola (5:26) - The Second Curve: Charles Handy (9:44) - Far From The Madding Crowd: Thomas Hardy (12:28) - Life Force: Tony Robbins (15:48) - Boostagram Lounge & housekeeping (19:38) - Coming In June 2023 (21:51) - V4V: Feedback & MM Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Support the show
Thu, May 25, 2023
The Senseless Franco-Prussian War | The Debacle (Émile Zola)
In reality war is horrible, in fiction .... it's also horrible. 'The Debacle' by Émile Zola is a historical cum realistic fiction (also known as naturalism) set during 1870-1 of the Franco-Prussian war. It follows Jean/Maurice, two French soldiers and Maurice's civilian sister as they endure the privations of war and the suffering caused in the aftermath. I summarised the book as follows. "A heartbreakingly vivid story that hurts to get through. Thankfully it doesn't have the endless feel of something like 'The Gulag Archipelago' but the pain & needless agony still has a lingering sensation. Zola is a powerful writer and offers a compelling case against war merely by showcasing it's realities." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:30) - Synopsis (3:33) - Warfare: Senseless & horrifying (11:33) - Love: Intense feeling of kinship (18:46) - Observations/Takeaways (24:13) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Support the show
Thu, May 18, 2023
Zeal & Great Enthusiasms | Far From The Madding Crowd (Thomas Hardy)
Enthusiasms taken too far! 'Far From The Madding Crowd' by Thomas Hardy is a small & simple tale of love, betrayal, anger and heartbreak. It's set in Wessex during Victorian England in the farmland countryside. The young, beautiful Bathsheba is courted by 3 suitors: mild-mannered shepherd Gabriel, distinguished farmer Boldwood and dashing sergeant Troy. I summarised the book as follows. "It's a bare bones tale that probably strays into too much simplicity. I found it hard to connect with any character other than Gabriel and even then not deeply so. It's not a great love story and is probably better suited for kids. Personally I would recommend his other famous work 'Tess Of The d'Urbervilles' rather than this one." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:27) - Synopsis (2:06) - Zeal: Love for the impatient & indecisive (5:24) - The Madding Crowd: Who can you listen to? (10:52) - Observations/Takeaways (13:21) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Support the show
Thu, May 11, 2023
Innovation & Justified Outrage | The Second Curve (Charles Handy)
We live in a society .... so let's fix it! 'The Second Curve' by Charles Handy is a collection of 16 essays reflecting on societal changes & predicting potential innovations of the future. It has a technology/management focus but is also broad and ties in with human wellbeing. There are a smattering of anecdotes & facts that help to reinforce his personal opinions and thoughts. I summarised the book as follows. "A typical problem with books of essays is continuity, but these were all crafted for this work. The topics are scattered but he shows clear & consistent thinking throughout. Really is more for provoking thoughts/discussion rather than solving actual societal problems. Perfect for people who prefer shorter form and I'd personally say was good but not mind shattering." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:28) - Synopsis (2:48) - Innovation: Get started before the decline (10:56) - Justified Outrage: Fun but dangerous (17:41) - Observations/Takeaways (22:10) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Support the show
Thu, May 04, 2023
Leaning About Health & Vitality | Life Force (Tony Robbins)
A short summary this month on Life Force by Tony Robbins and partners. A great, big, thick book that had a lot of promise pre-reading it, but afterwards left me thinking that the sell was slightly better than the product. Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Support the show
Thu, April 27, 2023
One Of The Most Incisive Critiques Ever Written | Animal Farm (George Orwell)
All men are enemies, all animals are comrades. 'Animal Farm' by George Orwell is an allegorical satire criticising the USSR regime & Joseph Stalin. A group of talking animals led by the pigs revolt against the human farmers. They attempt to create a paradise called Animal Farm through their ideology of Animalism but this has disastrous consequences for the general animal society. I summarised the book as follows. "If I was a writer this would want to make me give up. It's so tight with it's words and it feel like every sentence has a purpose. If you study deeper this book can give you an education on 30 different things. Orwell was an observer of people, of systems and of truth. One of the only 'political' books I care about, can't rave enough about this!" I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:30) - Synopsis (2:16) - Communism: Great in principle, terrible in practice (7:46) - Ideologies: The problem is the humans (15:38) - Observations/Takeaways (19:52) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Support the show
Mon, April 24, 2023
Hard To Get Much Better Than This | April 2023 Recap
Is it possible to choose only the best books to read? In April 2023 we reviewed 5 books on this channel. For some crazy reason both Juan and I just read bangers this month. It could be somewhat predicted as I revisited two authors who are probably in my top 10 writers. Juan was also reading to prepare himself for his baby girl so was also focused intently on trying to get good information. A big thanks to Alwin from Conshax for supporting. Go check out their service for stats & boostagrams. I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - They're all good! (1:44) - Animal Farm: George Orwell (5:12) - A Confederacy Of Dunces: JK Toole (7:35) - Cannery Row: John Steinbeck (10:53) - Up The Duff: Kaz Cooke (12:50) - Dad's Guide To Pregnancy: Justin Coulson (15:06) - Boostagram Lounge (19:08) - Coming up for May 2023 (21:41) - V4V: Feedback please! Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Support the show
Thu, April 20, 2023
Get Connected During Pregnancy | Up the Duff (Kaz Cooke)
Kaz Cooke's "Up the Duff" is an informative and humorous guide to pregnancy, covering everything from conception to childbirth and beyond. With its relatable anecdotes and practical advice, I highly recommend reading it alongside your partner. Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Support the show
Thu, April 13, 2023
A Funny Deluded Social Misfit | A Confederacy Of Dunces (John Kennedy Toole)
When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are all in confederacy against him. 'A Confederacy Of Dunces' by John Kennedy Toole is a picaresque novel of a fat delusional man named Ignatius J. Reilly. He is a bombastic rogue living in a corrupt world and is forced to get a job by his domineering mother. His interactions with other zany characters progressively decline and become more and more outlandish. I summarised the book as follows. "Only a dunce would NOT find this funny. I only covered a couple of the anecdotes of the wonderful mishaps of Ignatius as they are numerous. Certainly is the type of person who is more fun in print than in real life. It lacks the deep cutting drive of something like Catch-22 but if you want a laugh I'd recommend this" I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:31) - Synopsis (2:30) - Social Misfit: Someone that fits badly (7:49) - Delusion: A protection against life (14:36) - Observations/Takeaways (17:34) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Support the show
Thu, April 06, 2023
Life In Simpler Times | Cannery Row (John Steinbeck)
Who else can create such vivid imagery? 'Cannery Row' by John Steinbeck is a short novel of carefree life set during the 1930's in Monterey, California. A set of eclectic characters go about their everyday lives, showcasing their peculiar personalities along the way. There is no real plot as the story is broken into smaller vignettes that combine to form a semi-coherent narrative. I summarised the book as follows. "A beautiful meandering story with no purpose but with plenty of meaning. I normally struggle creating visual imagery in my head yet I could see this world/era/time period so clearly. Many laugh out loud moments and many sad moments as well. Steinbeck is a great writer and also highly recommend reading his other books." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:30) - Synopsis (3:03) - Nostalgia: Sentimental yearning for the past (7:21) - Nonconformist: Individuals who are unconventional (14:46) - Observations/Takeaways (18:44) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Support the show
Thu, March 30, 2023
Ready to be a dad? Read this | Dad's guide to pregnancy (Dr Justin Coulson)
"Dad's Guide to Pregnancy For Dummies" provides a humorous and informative take on the experience of becoming a father, making it an enjoyable and practical read for any expecting dad. I really enjoyed the actionable writing within, and gave it an 8/10. Definitely a "this depends on your place in the world" but well worth the read if you need it. Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Support the show
Mon, March 27, 2023
Reading For Learning, Not Pleasure | March 2023 Recap
How often do you read a book to learn versus reading for pure pleasure? In March 2023 I reviewed 4 books on this channel. My favourite was Mr Franklin's autobiography, he's a fascinating guy. All the others I was reading to get something out of them. Whether it was learning more about bad psychoanalytical ideas, pondering the grief I will likely feel in the future, grinding through some Peruvian slang or realising just how much I lack creativity even in coding. Lot of stuff to hurt my brain or that felt like a slog. No boostagrams nor support this month. Very sad puppy :( I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:30) - Reading books for purposes other than pleasure (5:57) - The Autobiography: Benjamin Franklin (13:16) - Algorithms For Dummies: John Mueller & Luca Massaron (15:28) - On Grief & Grieving: Elisabeth Kübler-Ross & David Kessler (18:02) - The Denial Of Death: Ernest Becker (23:17) - Boostagram Lounge (24:42) - Coming up for April 2023? (26:23) - V4V: Please reach out Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Support the show
Thu, March 23, 2023
Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression & Acceptance | On Grief & Grieving (Elisabeth Kübler-Ross & David Kessler)
How should you console someone after a loss? 'On Grief & Grieving' by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross & David Kessler is a description of the grieving process after a loved on dies. It examines the common variables of what makes each experience unique through the inner and outer world. It's not so much advice perse as how to understand/think about dying and loss. It contains many mini examples of real stories but lacks stats or hard data to back up the 5 stage model of grief. I summarised the book as follows. "Much like DABDA, this book is a useful tool. I doubt it will help reduce the grief of a loss but can assist in reducing additional pain from internal anxiety or inadvertently hurting others. I think there is a lot to be learnt but just take it all with a grain of salt." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:31) - Synopsis (3:10) - DABDA: The five stages of grief (9:34) - Consolation: Using compassion to help others (20:37) - Observations/Takeaways (23:29) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Support the show
Thu, March 16, 2023
Achieving Greatness Through Moral Perfection | The Autobiography (Benjamin Franklin)
Greatness requires self-improvement and a whole lot of striving! 'The Autobiography' by Benjamin Franklin are reflections on his life plus notable letters/publications he made. It roughly follows him from childhood to his business dealings in Philadelphia and work as a diplomat in England/France. It's not standard as he skips large events (like America gaining independence) but does give insights into his various professions, philosophy, science, war and money making ventures. I summarised the book as follows. "It's self aggrandising but shows who he was, which is a rascal/funny/kind/industrious/entrepreneurial man. What he achieved was amazing but how he did it is much more impressive. Easily is in my top 10 people to emulate and if you want to learn to be a better person it's hard to look elsewhere." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:31) - Synopsis (4:11) - Polymath: A person of wide knowledge & learning (9:39) - Greatness: It comes from internal striving (18:50) - Observations/Takeaways (22:53) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Support the show
Thu, March 09, 2023
What The Psychoanalysts Got Wrong! | The Denial Of Death (Ernest Becker)
Are you denying your anality? 'The Denial Of Death' by Ernest Becker is a psychology theory that posits that civilisation and individuals behave in ways to obscure the knowledge of our mortality. This is done through transference to heroism, becoming immortal by participating in something that is bigger than ourselves. I summarised the book as follows. "From almost the beginning the main theory seemed unclear. If I concentrate I can put a positive spin on it, but required extra materials outside of the book to make sense of it. There are quite a few out of date conjectures and some loaded words which also don't help. I had higher hopes for this book and ended up skipping some sections towards the end." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:29) - Synopsis (2:45) - Heroism: Transference away from mortality (8:45) - Observations/Takeaways (15:31) - Similarity to Either/Or by Kierkegaard (17:24) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Support the show
Thu, March 02, 2023
Chaotic Data & Programming The World | Algorithms For Dummies (John Mueller & Luca Massaron)
Have you got the steps to wrangle that data? 'Algorithms For Dummies' by John Mueller & Luca Massaron is a textbook on the subject of .... you guessed it, algorithms! It's designed to teach and inform with a mix of theoretical explanations, real life applications and miniature examples using Python. Fundamental principles of graphs, different types of algorithms and terminology can be found within. I summarised the book as follows. "It's a solid book, however it seeps in slow. I didn't understand a lot but by going through the motions (much like an algorithm) produced results for me. I came out with an appreciation for the broader fundamentals of how algorithms work. Note: It's not likely to improve your Python or coding skills and much of the book will likely be forgotten." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:33) - Synopsis (2:39) - Algorithms: Programming the world (8:32) - Data: Chaotic information loops (16:48) - Observations/Takeaways (21:19) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Support the show
Mon, February 27, 2023
The Modern Vs Classic Debate | February 2023 Recap
Do you prefer books written more recently or those that have (hopefully) aged gracefully with time? In February 2023 we reviewed 4 books on this channel. My favourites were the two books written in the last 15 years concerning modern topics of copyright/commons and VR/simulation theory. And then I was just baffled at what is to be taken away from an asshole rebellious teenager. Juan also got some personal development in him and will hopefully have some atomic habits to show for it. Huge thanks to Petar and Kalamansihan for supporting the show. Rock solid! I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - What is the book recap? (0:26) - Modern vs Classic debate (1:40) - Common As Air (Lewis Hyde) (7:01) - Reality+ (David Chalmers) (10:51) - The Catcher In The Rye (J.D. Salinger) (13:14) - Atomic Habits (James Clear) (15:52) - Boostagram Lounge (23:28) - Coming up for March 2023 (25:51) - Value For Value Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Thu, February 23, 2023
The Philosophy Of VR & Simulations | Reality+ (David Chalmers)
Do you believe you're grounded in reality? 'Reality+' by David Chalmers is an examination of what reality actually is. The central thesis is that virtual reality is genuine reality, which will have implications for how we interact with it. There are two styles of arguments within that combine to form 'technophilosophy'; results from humanity's computing progress and various ideas from philosopher such as Decartes/Plato. I summarised the book as follows. "Ultimately it was a mixed bag. I thought it would start each section strong but get a bit lost/muddled towards the middle. Personally I wish there were more everyday examples and outcomes that would change how I interact with VR or my current reality. Is probably a good book for those who are at the beginner-intermediate stage of philosophical thought." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the simulation. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:25) - Synopsis (2:12) - Virtual Reality: Real as real can get (7:14) - Simulation Hypothesis: Philosophical word games (13:57) - Observations/Takeaways (17:08) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Thu, February 16, 2023
Can You Change With Just The Little Things? | Atomic Habits (James Clear)
James Clear's "Atomic Habits" is a split atom of knowledge and humor. Clear writes with the precision of a scientist and the wit of a comedian, making this book a true pleasure to read. Whether you want to improve your health, get rich, or just become a smarter human, "Atomic Habits" has got the goods. I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Juan out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:30) - James and Habits (0:56) - What is this book about? (1:35) - Why Atomic Habits (2:40) - Book structure (3:10) - Laws (6:00) - Focus on the Process (7:50) - Don't be radical (9:40) - Personal Thoughts (11:11) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Thu, February 09, 2023
Are We Seeing An Encroachment Upon Creativity & Art? | Common As Air (Lewis Hyde)
Should these book reviews be viewed as a cultural commons? 'Common As Air' by Lewis Hyde is an argument against the enclosure of ideas in the modern age and a call to return to how cultural commons were treated back in the early days of the United States. Within are definitions of words, examples of recent IP/patent/copyright abuse and the principles exhibited by Benjamin Franklin and other Founding Fathers. I summarised the book as follows. "It's not light reading but it was fascinating. A great book for me opens many avenues of investigation, which this certainly did. This pushed me close to the limit of my vocabulary & ability to hold complex concepts. And overall it makes me more excited to learn about V4V, property rights and the creativity of art/ideas." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:27) - Synopsis (2:26) -Commons: Defined by the people (9:34) - Encroachment: Copyright & patenting of ideas (21:00) - Observations/Takeaways (25:42) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Thu, February 02, 2023
Who Is The Real Self-Absorbed Phony? | The Catcher In The Rye (J.D. Salinger)
This is a classic that I just don't get? 'The Catcher In The Rye' by J.D. Salinger is a fictional coming of age story about a rebellious teen in New York City. Holden Caulfield is expelled from an elite school and fills a couple of days with activities (illegal and otherwise) before returning home to confront his parents with the news. I summarised the book as follows. "If you want a whiny self-absorbed kid, you've got the right book. Maybe this resonated with the time but I feel no connection to Holden nor his predicament/way of life. Maybe he needs some phoniness because I really see no positive aspects in him as a character and adding in the stylistic choices of the repetitive writing made me give it a pretty low rating." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:25) - Synopsis (1:44) - Self-Absorption: The result of not being a phony (8:45) - Observations/Takeaways (12:33) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Mon, January 30, 2023
It's My Fault I Read Substandard Books | January 2023 Recap
Sometimes you just need to read something to reconfirm that you don't like it. In January 2023 we reviewed 5 books on this channel. We had some Japanese self-help, a classic adventure novel, a Buddhist text that is hard to appreciate without all the background knowledge and two Stoic explanations by Ryan Holiday. Plus a bonus bit of a controversy regarding a certain thumbnail. Huge thanks to Petar, Cole McCormick and Joel W for supporting the show. Absolute legends! I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Welcome (0:42) - The Courage To Be Disliked (7:09) - Around The World In 80 Days (13:53) - Am I offensive? (17:24) - The Tibetan Book Of The Dead (20:06) - Courage Is Calling (22:32) - Stillness Is Key (24:22) - Value For Value (26:25) - Boostagram Lounge (35:05) - Coming Up In February 2023 (36:48) - I also do these live Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Thu, January 26, 2023
What Kind Of Journey Excites You? | Around The World In 80 Days (Jules Verne)
Is there still adventure to be found in this world? 'Around The World In 80 Days' by Jules Verne is an adventure novel of a gentleman trying to win a bet. Phileas Fogg along with his manservant Passepartout attempt to circumnavigate the world by train, boat and any transport available in order to collect a £20,000 wager. Along the way they encounter mishaps & danger caused by self inflicted decisions and external circumstances. I summarised the book as follows. "Sometimes a book can just enthrall you .... this wasn't one of those times. There's not anything wrong with the book but I can't recall any compelling moments perse. Technically it's well written but I prefer other fictional books like 'Lost Horizon' which have deeper themes that I can learn from." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:28) - Synopsis (3:30) - Adventure: An exciting or daring experience (10:33) - Observations/Takeaways (14:10) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Thu, January 19, 2023
Japanese Self-Help/Psychology | The Courage To Be Disliked (Ichiro Kishimi & Fumitake Koga)
Do you have the courage to break your life-lie? 'The Courage To Be Disliked' by Ichiro Kishimi & Fumitake Koga is a Japanese version of a self-help/psychology book. It showcases Adlerian psychology through means of a Socratic dialogue between a philosopher and youth. It is primarily about how to change mental thought patterns by taking individual responsibility and not playing the victim card. I summarised the book as follows. "It's ultimately a useful tool for improvement. I believe much of life is tricking your own brain, body and habits into better outcomes. The philosopher did come across as a bit too assured and I would be curious to know the Adlerian view on pragmatism and whether other schools of psychology can work." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:28) - Synopsis (2:52) - Adlerian Psychology: The pill pill (8:46) - The Philosopher: Embodying the individual psychology (17:13) - Observations/Takeaways (24:03) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Thu, January 12, 2023
Understanding the Bardo Thodol | The Tibetan Book Of The Dead (Padmasambhava)
What happens when we die? Maybe this book has the answers! 'The Tibetan Book Of The Dead' by Padmasambhava is a hidden Tibetan text that explains the 'bardo', the intermediate zone between death & rebirth. It is a companion to be used as a guide for those transitions from life into the next process. There are clear instructions for loved ones/care givers to follow and what to expect in the days following cessation of life. I summarised the book as follows. "A large part of religion is finding meaning, with some practicality attached as well. I personally found this mostly useless but it did get me thinking about the actual logistics of death and caring for dying loved ones. I appreciate Buddhism more than most religions but draw the line at deities & unverifiable claims." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:38) - Synopsis (3:43) - Liberation: Steel manning Bardo (11:40) - Control: Criticising religion (19:27) - Observations/Takeaways (20:37) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Thu, January 05, 2023
Get Courageous | Courage is Calling (Ryan Holiday)
Welcome back Mere Mortalites to another book review, this time on Courage is Calling by Ryan Holiday I enjoyed the new series by Ryan on the four virtues, and even with a few Ryan Holiday books under my belt this really shined. I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Juan out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (1:20) - New Series (2:00) - Synopsis (6:08) - Themes (10:00) - Takeaways Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Thu, December 29, 2022
How Stoicism Can Give You Inner Peace | Stillness Is The Key (Ryan Holiday)
Stillness is the Key is a self-help book written by Ryan Holiday that explores the concept of stillness and how it can be used to improve one's life. The book argues that stillness, or the ability to be calm and focused in the face of chaos and distractions, is a key ingredient to success and happiness. Holiday also examines the ways in which stillness can be cultivated, including through meditation, exercise, and other mindfulness practices. He also offers practical advice on how to incorporate stillness into one's daily routine, and how to overcome common obstacles that may stand in the way of achieving stillness. Overall, Stillness is the Key is a thought-provoking and inspiring book that offers valuable insights into the power of stillness and mindfulness in helping us to live more fulfilling and meaningful lives. I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Juan out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:53) - Synopsis (2:43) - Themes (6:27) - Takeaways Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Mon, December 26, 2022
New Books Are Useful But Old Books Are Better | December 2022 Recap
I like recently published books for their utility, but for pure enjoyment and beauty it's hard for me to go past the classics. In December 2022 we upped the ante and reviewed 5 books on this channel. As usual I was all over the shop with Russian poetry, coding for kids, biographies from 2 millennia ago and Victorian England drama. I chose not to include Juan's upcoming review (didn't want to spoil it) so that will be recapped next month. Huge thanks to Petar the Slav for supporting the show, so greatly appreciated. I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - I'm going live! (0:21) - Eugene Onegin: Alexander Pushkin (3:54) - Coding For Beginners Using Python: Louie Stowell (5:25) - The Age Of Alexander: Plutarch (9:54) - Tess Of The d'Urbervilles (15:53) - Stillness Is The Key: Ryan Holiday (16:30) - Boostagram Lounge (23:33) - Value For Value (25:41) - What's coming up for January 2023 Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Thu, December 22, 2022
Misfortune & Injustice Can Strike Down The Best Of Us | Tess Of The d'Urbervilles (Thomas Hardy)
At the of it all, there is not much to do other than pity the heroine of this tale. 'Tess Of The d'Urbervilles' by Thomas Hardy is a realistic story of a continually unfortunate country girl set in Victorian England. Tess Durbeyfield (a poor milkmaid) is wronged by Alec d'Urberville and finds love with the gentleman Angel Clare, but is still haunted by her past. It explores a set of weaving themes related to poverty, religion, morality and class divides. I summarised the book as follows. "It's a brilliant but ultimately hauntingly sad book. Every break Tess gets serves to punish her even further. The blame for her misfortune is mixed across people & society but I think there's no doubt that an injustice occurred. There isn't much to do from this but examine your own moral precepts and err on the side of compassion with others." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:33) - Synopsis (4:20) - Misfortune: Fates worse than death (11:29) - Injustice: The intolerable sorrow (16:40) - Observations/Takeaways (20:27) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Thu, December 15, 2022
The Core Concepts Of Code | Coding For Beginners Using Python (Louie Stowell)
Am I simpler than a computer? I might just be! 'Coding For Beginners Using Python' by Louie Stowell is an instructions guide to learn the basics. It's a combination of simple exercises for loops/dictionaries/drawing and more complex games that mimic Minesweeper or Pong. The target audience is kids and so is set out in an easy to understand manner with plenty of colour and fun graphics. I summarised the book as follows. "It's a nice, practical and easy to use first step. I liked the emphasis on quickly writing code even if it doesn't particularly make sense right away. I purposefully chose the most basic language and the most basic book to begin my coding journey with, and I think this was a great choice." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:31) - Synopsis (2:26) - Simplicity: The core concept to takeaway (9:48) - Observations/Takeaways (24:56) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Thu, December 08, 2022
Developing Character & Virtue In A Barbaric World | The Age Of Alexander (Plutarch)
What can the lives of the Ancient Greeks teach us about how to live well? 'The Age Of Alexander' by Plutarch is a selection of 9 Greek lives from his work called 'Parallel Lives'. It covers prominent people from various locations and various professions, but all from around ~400 BC to 300 BC. It focuses mostly on their achievements with quotes, battle statistics, 1st hand sources, moments from their life and overall actions/behaviours. I summarised the book as follows. "It's a glimpse into the lives of great men, if not necessarily good men. Somewhat sombre due to the carnage but provides enough to get a feel for the person. I found it surprisingly applicable to current situations as decisions/outcomes are derived from one's character. Not hard to pick some qualities you lack and could cultivate." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:34) - Synopsis (3:59) - Politics: The reality of a barbaric world (12:08) - Character: Built on small decisions, not inherent qualities (21:56) - Observations/Takeaways (27:14) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Thu, December 01, 2022
Fighting For Honour In A Beautiful Style | Eugene Onegin (Alexander Pushkin)
Would you have the honour to behave like a coward? 'Eugene Onegin' by Alexander Pushkin is a novel in verse of an unhappy Russian dandy. Onegin lacks meaning from a city life and struggles to find it in the countryside, with the same superficial gossip, flirtatious women and rash young men. The poetry is renowned for it's unique rhyme scheme known as the 'Pushkin Sonnet' or 'Onegin Stanza'. I summarised the book as follows. "It's easily my most favourite poetry that I've read. Not only does the style roll of the tongue but the characters, scenery, plot and narration all kept me highly engaged. My one gripe is that I don't know Russian so couldn't read this in the Russian original, although the English translation is still outstanding!" I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:37) - Synopsis (3:53) - Duelling: A deadly code of honour (14:31) - Observations/Takeaways (21:07) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Mon, November 28, 2022
Why Am I Barely Reading New Books? | November 2022 Recap
Do you want to know how to change your mind or how innovation works? In November 2022 we sadly only covered 2 books on this channel. Both Juan and I have been rather busy as of late and so didn't put in the time like we normally do. Strangely both books I read started with 'How' and were published within the last 4 years. Definitely an off the rails month. Huge thanks to Petar the Slav for supporting the show. I'll do better for next month! I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:59) - How To Change Your Mind: Michael Pollan (9:09) - How Innovation Works: Matt Ridley (21:17) - Boostagram Lounge (23:07) - December 2022 (24:56) - Value For Value Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Thu, November 24, 2022
Move Aside Regulation Bullshit, Progress Is Coming Through! | How Innovation Works (Matt Ridley)
Don't stand in the way of this or you might get railroaded .... literally! 'How Innovation Works' by Matt Ridley is a how-to book that somewhat becomes an argument for change. It uses primarily stories from history to illustrate the key thesis, from food to communication to primitive technology amongst others. The difference between innovation and invention is also distinguished with an explanation of the role of the individual thrown in as well. I summarised the book as follows. "It captures the spirit & philosophy of innovation, if not the science & technical process of how it works. I was surprised by how much emphasis is placed on the hindrances, which almost all come from group think rather than individuals. It's a new book so don't put too much weight into all the stories but I feel it has added to the personal philosophy/hypothesis that I'm building." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:35) - Synopsis (2:32) - The What: Clearing up Innovation's is's & isn'ts (9:03) - The How: Move aside & GTFO (21:49) - Observations/Takeaways (24:30) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Thu, November 10, 2022
Taking A Trip Into Your Brain & The World Of Psychedelics | How To Change Your Mind (Michael Pollan)
Are you willing to change your mind on a controversial topic? 'How To Change Your Mind' by Michael Pollan is a dive into the North American history of psychedelics & their use in emerging scientific studies. It focuses primarily on 3 types: LSD, psilocybin and DMT. The book is not overly scientific as it contains many trip reports from the author himself as well as subjective ponderings on the mystical experiences that can arise. I summarised the book as follows. "It's a compelling read that walks the fine line between objective/subjective and scientific/mystical. Although it may seems daunting from some peoples experiences, the downsides seem limited compared to other drugs. It appears science is catching up to the collective wisdom of 1000's of years cultural healing gained from their use and this is super exciting." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:35) - Synopsis (3:32) - The Science: What can we say for certain? (16:59) - The Subjective: What can we say? (25:35) - Observations/Takeaways (31:39) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Mon, October 31, 2022
Pretty Phrases & Poetic Passages Predominate | October 2022 Recap
Do you have a favourite book for poetical sentences that catch your eye? In October 2022 we covered 4 books on this channel. Whilst I didn't fall in love with this month's reading, I did notice I was drawn into small portions from each book that sounded nice in my inner reading voice. I even took a stab at live translating from Spanish to English, which ended horribly lol. Huge thanks to Dave Jones, Petar the Slav and Unitofacc for supporting the show. Literary giants the lot of them! I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:51) - Voss: Patrick White (4:58) - Great Stories By Chekov: Anton Chekov (9:05) - On Heroes And Tombs: Ernesto Sabato (14:32) - Can't Hurt Me: David Goggins (16:30) - Boostagram Lounge (26:17) - Value For Value (27:46) - November 2022 Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Thu, October 27, 2022
A Book That Reflects The Lost Hope Of It's Characters | On Heroes And Tombs (Ernesto Sabato)
Like the Argentine personality, I started off with hope but was left disappointed and cynical. 'On Heroes And Tombs' by Ernesto Sabato is a novel of tortured love, self loathing and madness. There are 4 main section that follow the interweaving timelines of Martín, Alejandra, Fernando & Bruno. It starts with a strict plotline that becomes looser with multiple narrators, a fictional yet semi-historical running commentary and seemingly random ramblings. I summarised the book as follows. "Overall this book spiraled downwards, much like the main characters themselves. What was an intriguing mystery of broken love became a mess of random interjections & irrelevant side stories. It has some merits but these are heavily outweighed the longer you spend time with it." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:47) - Synopsis (4:22) - Lost Hope: Damaged people spiraling downwards (14:11) - Observations/Takeaways (20:14) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Wed, October 19, 2022
Who's going to carry the boats? | Can't Hurt Me (David Goggins)
'Can't Hurt Me' by David Goggins is a tale of his life, the triumphs and tribulations that made him who he is today. I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Juan out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (1:58) - Synopsis (7:03) - Themes (10:50) - Takeaways Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Wed, October 12, 2022
Why Do Some People Chose Self-Destruction? | Voss (Patrick White)
Is there greater isolation in the Australian desert, or being unable to fit in with society? 'Voss' by Patrick White is a story of adventure into the Australian wilderness. It is set in 1845 and revolves around 2 principal characters: Johann Ulrich Voss and Laura Trevelyan. There are complex weavings of love, passion, inner turmoil and religious symbolism as Voss follows his path of self-destruction and Laura struggles to communicate with others. I summarised the book as follows. "Much like the central character Voss, the book itself is enigmatic & at times hard to understand. I feel like you could pick it apart many ways & that I've done a disservice to all the other unique characters by only focusing upon Voss and Laura. I see why this book is an Aussie classic and why Patrick White was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:35) - Synopsis (3:36) - Doom: Why do some people seek self-destruction? (15:42) - Communication: The imperfection of language (26:08) - Observations/Takeaways (31:04) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Thu, October 06, 2022
Does Great Insight Come From Suffering? | Great Stories By Chekov (Anton Chekov)
Maybe Russians are the most wise, but also the most depressed of us all. 'Great Stories By Chekov' by Anton Chekov (and translated by Constance Garnett) is an anthology of 7 tales, of which 4 are short stories and 3 are novellas. They all showcase Russian life in the 19th century and detail deprivation, abuse, harsh conditions and strained relationships. I summarised the book as follows. "It's a Russian author so you know there's going to be suffering and also some deep insights gained from this misery. It's very nice writing with deep yet playful scenery and characters. I personally preferred the longer stories and am not the biggest fan of collections so only wish that the novellas had been fleshed out into full length novels." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:40) - Synopsis (3:24) - Misery: Why do Russians obsess over it? (11:02) - Cognisance: What can be gained from experiencing misery? (22:00) - Observations/Takeaways (30:54) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Thu, September 29, 2022
Is It Right To Kill An Indifferent Murderer? | The Stranger (Albert Camus)
Would you condemn a complete stranger to death? 'The Stranger' by Albert Camus is a 1st person account from a man who lacks normal feelings. It is set in Algiers and follows the Frenchman Monsieur Meursault in his daily routine after the death of his mother. He kills a man and is put on trial for being a cold blooded murder with no regret nor emotions. I summarised the book as follows. "I found it a slow start but became more engaged as it progressed. It's great for highlighting part of the reason life hard, everyone is a stranger and some people are really strange. Unfortunately the indifference of Mssr. Meursault was contagious and I didn't love it." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:36) - Synopsis (2:49) - Applying Justice: Apathy vs Indifference (16:30) - Observations/Takeaways (23:58) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Sun, September 25, 2022
Why Can People With Similar Tastes Have Differing Opinions On The Same Book?
We had a lot of people sending in messages (because I did a thing) and I also realised that I'm done with philosophy for a while. In September 2022 we covered 4 books on this channel (but I also threw in a cheeky small one just for this recap). I just noticed that it was a pretty diverse crowd with an Englishman-cum-Australian, French Algerian, American and a fanatic Japanese. That's a good bunch. I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:35) - The Sound of Waves: Yukio Mishima (4:41) - On The Beach: Nevil Shute (6:58) - The Stranger: Albert Camus (8:59) - The Fire Next Time: James Baldwin (13:41) - Ego Is The Enemy: Ryan Holiday (15:17) - Boostagram Lounge (20:33) - October 2022 (22:12) - Value For Value Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Thu, September 22, 2022
A Chance To Exam Your Own Thoughts On Mortality | On The Beach (Nevil Shute)
How would you find satisfaction in a nuclear holocaust? 'On The Beach' by Nevil Shute is a story set in Melbourne of two naval officers and their friends/family as impending death from radioactive fallout comes ever closer. The Northern Hemisphere is uninhabited apart from a mysterious signal coming from Seattle. It examines people reactions to mortality and how they mentally cope with the realisation of inevitable death. I summarised the book as follows. "I had to set aside some time after reading this for some pondering as there is a lot to digest. I liked how the plot was moved forward by the submarine cruise and that it started off with the holocaust already well underway. It's not exactly a fun read but I think will inspire some worthwhile introspection." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:31) - Synopsis (2:58) - Nuclear Holocaust: How would humanity behave? (11:07) - Satisfaction: What brings individuals pleasure? (17:57) - Observations/Takeaways (22:28) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Wed, September 14, 2022
A Simple Tale Sparse On Dialogue But With A Rich Inner World | The Sound Of Waves (Yukio Mishima)
Can a book be overly simplistic? 'The Sound Of Waves' by Yukio Mishima is a simple tale, a love story in fact, of a young boy and girl who persevere through hardship & gossip. It takes place on Uta-jima, an island off of mainland Japan with a small population that lives an artisanal fishing lifestyle. Shinji has to prove his worth to Hatsue's uncle, whilst dealing with a competitor for her affection. I summarised the book as follows. "It's a beautiful & relaxing read about young love. It is very simplistic in many ways but I quite enjoyed it. Mishima has a distinct style that is worth trying to see if you like it. It hasn't hit a chord deep inside of me and I generally prefer books with a bit more meat to them but after reading a lot of philosophy books this was exactly what I needed." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:32) - Synopsis (2:56) - Perseverance: Continued steady belief in spit of opposition (9:56) - Prudence: The ability to govern & discipline oneself by use of reason (14:41) - Observations/Takeaways (18:57) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Wed, September 07, 2022
Ego is the Enemy (Ryan Holiday) - Book Review
'Ego is the Enemy' by Ryan Holiday was the eagerly anticipated next read in my trails of absorbing everything Ryan Holiday. Find out just why Ego is truly the enemy. I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Juan out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (1:17) - Synopsis (3:40) - Themes (6:48) - Takeaways Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Tue, August 30, 2022
Either/Or (Søren Kierkegaard) - Book Review
Either philosophy makes little sense ...... or I'm just a little stupid. 'Either/Or' by Søren Kierkegaard is a two volume work designed to investigate the life views of the aesthetic (art, beauty, pleasure) & the ethical (commitment, marriage morals). It is written in the unique form of two unknown authors and compiled by a pseudonymous editor. I summarised the book as follows. "My overall feeling coming out of this was an exasperated 'why'. There was a lot of words but it didn't feel like much got said. There were some hints of interesting topics but I became bored by the lack of clarity and wasn't even able to finish the book." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:45) - Synopsis (4:12) - The Either/Or: A seemingly unavoidable choice between two alternatives (8:00) - Observations/Takeaways (13:21) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Sun, August 28, 2022
Boostagrams Galore & I'm Done With Philosophy
We had a lot of people sending in messages (because I did a thing) and I also realised that I'm done with philosophy for a while. In August 2022 we covered 3 books on this channel (but I also threw in a cheeky small one just for this recap). My favourite of the bunch was easily Camus's book. I drew a lot of parallels between this and my fav book of all time (George Orwell's '1984'). I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:36) - The Plague: Albert Camus (3:19) - Either/Or: Søren Kierkegaard (5:05) - The Shirts I Love: Haruki Murakami (6:01) - The Obstacle Is The Way: Ryan Holiday (8:24) - Boostagram Lounge (19:52) - September 2022 Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Tue, August 23, 2022
The Obstacle is the Way (Ryan Holiday) - Book Review
'The Obstacle is the Way' by Ryan Holiday begins a journey of discovery personally into Stoic teachings and Ryan's work Structured phenomenally, the book uses three key sections to impart its wisdom. Perspective, Action and Will. I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Juan out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:48) - Synopsis (4:28) - Themes (8:57) - Takeaways (12:10) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Tue, August 09, 2022
The Plague (Albert Camus) - Book Review
You know things are serious when you can't spit on cats anymore ppppptttt ptttp ptt. 'The Plague' by Albert Camus is a novel describing life in a city in Oran locked down to due to the outbreak of the Bubonic Plague. A narrator describes the travels of Dr Rieux over the course of about a year as he attempts to help his patients. There are differing responses of his friends and acquaintances as they all adapt to the persistent indifference of the pestilence. I summarised the book as follows. "I found it a slow start to the tale but I think this ended up making the overall work more impactful as that's how life during a plague would really become, slow & tiresome. There are no valiant heroes nor chaotic villains but the payoff in what one can take from this book is huge." I hope you have a fantastic pestilence free day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:41) - Synopsis (3:59) - Pestiferous: Is life inherently tiresome? (10:54) - The Remedy: Fighting against persistent indifference (18:03) - Observations/Takeaways (21:17) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Tue, July 26, 2022
Meditations On First Philosophy (René Descartes) - Book Review
A solid attempt to get to the truth of all things! 'Meditations On First Philosophy' by René Descartes is a philosophical treatise designed to prove the existence of God. Descartes creates 6 meditations which run through step by step how he goes about finding out what is irrevocably true. This starts with his famous 'cogito, ergo sum' (I think, therefore I am) position and fleshes out why the senses are misleading and how ideas can be split into separate categories. I summarised the book as follows. "For a short old book it packs a lot of punch. Not only were the ideas clear but it was easy to read with simple examples/analogies. It hasn't convinced me of God's existence but it has shown a very intriguing mode of thinking. A recommendation I have is to use wikipedia or other resources for additional clarity of the final chapters which started to get harder to fully comprehend." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:30) - Synopsis (2:53) - The 6 Meditations: The philosophical demonstration of God (12:51) - Observations/Takeaways (20:07) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Mon, July 25, 2022
It's Official, We Missed A Week :'(
It finally happened, but I warned you dammit I warned you (runs away crying). In July 2022 we covered 3 books on this channel. I enjoyed learning more about Bitcoin and in particular about the history and property of money. Descartes had a real interesting process for finding truth and he conveys this beautifully in the first 3 of his 6 meditations. Juan seemed to enjoy his physics book although it is always gross when politics enter into science, even if it is only a little bit. I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (1:09) - The Bitcoin Standard: Saifedean Ammous (6:58) - Meditations On First Philosophy: René Descartes (16:53) - Brief Answers To The Big Questions: Stephen Hawking (18:28) - Shoutout For Nastia (20:11) - Boostagram Lounge (30:06) - August 2022 Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Tue, July 19, 2022
The Bitcoin Standard (Saifedean Ammous) - Book Review
Will this phrase of 'the gold standard' become obsolete due to technology? 'The Bitcoin Standard' by Saifedean Ammous describes the history of money and examines the varying properties of currencies. This sets a backdrop for the explanation of a purely digital money called Bitcoin and why it excels in comparison to barter, shells, gold and even fiat. I summarised the book as follows. "If you are expecting a BTC book don't be surprised that 2/3 of it focuses on money with little mention of Bitcoin. It cleared up some misconceptions I had and was a nice summary of a lot of research I had already done. Due to his arguments I have come to appreciate that there is only one real cryptocurrency that has the properties of 'money', although I still have more to learn about economics as a whole." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:31) - Synopsis (3:15) - Money: What is it actually? (12:54) - Bitcoin: A new technological innovation! (21:15) - Observations/Takeaways (28:00) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Tue, July 12, 2022
Brief Answers to the Big Questions (Stephen Hawking) - Book Review
'Brief Answers to the Big Questions' by Stephen Hawking seeks to answer 10 commonly asked questions from his own perspective. The book examines some of the universe's greatest mysteries, and promotes the view that science is very important in helping to solve problems on planet Earth I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Juan out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:40) - Who is Stephen Hawkins (2:23) - Synopsis (5:12) - Themes & Observations (10:45) - Takeaway Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Tue, June 28, 2022
Reasons And Persons (Derek Parfit) - Book Review
Who are you truly and what do you believe deeply? 'Reasons And Persons' by Derek Parfit is an examination into our beliefs of what we should do with our lives and our personal identity. Parfit appeals to rationality and argues why theories such as self-interest and consequentialism are self-defeating in their own terms. He does this through a series of hypothetical cases (both realistic and improbable) to demonstrate their paradoxes before providing what he believes is the truly logical way to think. I summarised the book as follows. "This is probably a book for philosophers. I'd say you need to have a grasp on many fundamentals to fully understand the minutiae of Parfit's arguments. His general conclusions still seem quite vague and the use of so many hypotheticals & double/triple negatives became too much for me. Overall it wasn't worth reading as I couldn't take out any practical actions, but hey maybe that's just me." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:34) - Synopsis (4:04) - Reasons: What do we have the most reason to do? (10:13) - Persons: Your beliefs about your identity over time are false! (16:44) - Observations/Takeaways (25:01) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Mon, June 27, 2022
Philosophy Books Make Me Not Want To Read
Next month will be the first where we won't have a book review every week. And philosophy is to blame! In June 2022 we covered 5 books on this channel. Juan did some heavy lifting and bested me for the first time since we began. I've recently been noticing a decline in my desire to read and this could be because I have been slogging through Parfit's book (intermittently) for a couple of months now. And this is how I've generally felt reading the 'classic' philosophy works. Hopefully this will pick up once I start reading for fun again but no guarantees. I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:23) - Madame Bovary: Gustave Flaubert (5:52) - Reasons And Persons: Derek Parfit (12:25) - Homo Deus: Yuval Noah Harari (13:12) - Before I Go To Sleep: S.J. Watson (14:11) - The Little Book Of Alpaca Philosophy: Jennifer McCartney (15:09) - Boostagram Lounge (21:03) - July 2022 Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Tue, June 21, 2022
The Little Book of Alpaca Philosophy (Jennifer McCartney) - Book Review
'The Little Book of Alpaca Philosophy' by Jennifer McCartney is a simple, easy to read, quirky and short look at philosophy through the eyes of alpacas I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Juan out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (1:30) - Synopsis (4:36) - Themes (5:07) - Observations/Takeaways Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Tue, June 14, 2022
Madame Bovary (Gustave Flaubert) - Book Review
If love is such a universal good, then why does it inspire such cruelty? 'Madame Bovary' by Gustave Flaubert is a tale of provincial love set in Rouen, France during the 19th century. We are privy to the intimate affairs of Emma Bovary as she seeks to capture the romantic fantasies she believes she deserves. Her blind desire comes at a cost however as she becomes ever more desperate to attain something she cannot. I summarised the book as follows. "Women and love can combine for some tragedy. This tale highlighted to me the importance of communication in relationships and to not look externally for one's source of happiness. I wasn't captivated by the characters nor the plot, but the 'literary realism' style is unique and memorable for this alone." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:34) - Synopsis (3:10) - Blind Desire: The cause of ecstasy & immense suffering (10:18) - Ignorant Contentment: Not a solid base for a great life (13:24) - Observations/Takeaways (18:18) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Tue, June 07, 2022
Homo Deus (Yuval Noah Harari) - Book Review
Get ready to have your mind blown on what you think the future may look like 'Homo Deus' by Yuval Noah Harari is a logical exploration of our past, our myths, our constructs, inter-subjectivities and many many other viewpoints to craft what ultimately our future may look like. A deep think, this book might provide some answers but it does just as well to leave you with many more fascinating questions to ponder. An absolutely stunning book, I gave this read a 9/10. I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Juan out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (1:20) - Synopsis (3:30) - Themes (10:15) - Takeaways (12:25) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Tue, May 31, 2022
Before I Go To Sleep (S.J Watson) - Book Review
How trusting would you be? 'Before I Go To Sleep' by S.J Watson is a mystery psychological thriller that delves into the questions of memory and the importance of trust. As Christine utilises her journal, she delves deeper and deeper towards the truth and in turn finds out that the origination of her amnesia might not be all it seems to be. A true page-turner, I gave this read a 7/10. I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Juan out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (1:12) - Synopsis (4:10) - Themes (6:37) - Takeaways (9:30) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Sun, May 29, 2022
Are Old Reviews Still Relevant?
Due to some big books and a slower reading pace I did a couple of reviews of books I had read many years ago. In May 2022 I covered 4 books on this channel. Like I mentioned above, the first two by Cialdini and Kafka I had read 10 years and 3 years ago. The book that I rated the lowest was 'The Idiot' but like most Dostoevsky books there was so many themes to ponder upon that it more than made up for the long length of the novel. I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - A question for you (2:58) - Influence: Robert Cialdini (6:05) - The Trial: Franz Kafka (8:41) - The Most Good You Can Do: Peter Singer (16:27) - The Idiot: Fyodor Dostoevsky (21:12) - Boostagram Lounge (26:33) - June 2022 Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Tue, May 24, 2022
The Idiot (Fyodor Dostoevsky) - Book Review
A naïve idiot can be endearing but can also cause a lot of pain to themselves and others. 'The Idiot' by Fyodor Dostoevsky is a large fictional story of semi-aristocratic Russians centering around 'The Prince' Lev Nikolayevich Myshkin. After a prolonged illness he begins to enter society and becomes embroiled in a love triangle with two beautiful ladies. The tale takes place over ~6 months, beginning in St Petersburg & culminating in Pavlosk. I summarised the book as follows. "It's distinctly a Dostoevsky book but with some unusual literary techniques thrown in. I found it harder to follow than some of his other classics and didn't contain a standout scene or speech. There are plenty of meaty themes to dig into but be prepared for a long read to allow them to be fleshed out. Overall I enjoyed it, but preferred 'Crime & Punishment' and/or 'The Brothers Karamazov'." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:33) - Synopsis (3:30) - Naivety: Endearing but harmful (20:13) - Observations/Takeaways (26:30) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Tue, May 17, 2022
The Trial (Franz Kafka) - Book Review
Have your sanity in order because it will be put on trial in this mystifying process. 'The Trial' by Franz Kafka tells the story of Josef K as he is suddenly accused of a crime and must go through a trial. However it is a bizarre and unclear procedure that leads him further and further down a rabbit hole. The more he tries to prove his innocence of this mysterious accusation the more unsolvable and sinister the situation becomes. I summarised the book as follows. "It's an amazing description of .... something. The words Kafka creates is familiar yet not understandable at the same time. I definitely wouldn't read this book if you don't feel you are grounded in reality as it might be a test of your own sanity. A distinct book that will be hard to forget!" I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:34) - Synopsis (3:42) - Kafkaesque: A surreal yet menacing feeling (8:37) - Reason: Escaping the Kafka quandry (17:37) - Observations/Takeaways (20:23) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Tue, May 10, 2022
Influence (Robert Cialdini) - Book Review
As an expert reviewer I'm telling you that you will love this review, also because all your friends do and also because it's only here for a limited time! 'Influence' by Robert Cialdini is an uncovering of the shortcuts we use to make decisions (and how these can be highjacked). He list 6 'weapons of influence' (or 7 depending on your edition) which were derived from studies, training observations and 1st hand experience in sales/marketing. He highlights these with interesting stories, modern and historical data, psychological experiments and even reports from readers on how they implemented this knowledge. I summarised the book as follows. "It's a fantastic explanation of modern behaviour and why we can sometime be fooled (or do the fooling). It really showcases why certain tactics of persuasion work with real life examples. If you are willing to introspect on how you are being influenced in every day life (or want to use these tricks to your advantage) it will be an extremely useful and practical read. I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:39) - Synopsis (3:22) - Persuasion: The '7 Weapons of Influence' (14:31) - Observations/Takeaways (19:09) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Tue, May 03, 2022
The Most Good You Can Do (Peter Singer) - Book Review
Super logical arguments that are convincing but somehow feel like they are missing something. 'The Most Good You Can Do' by Peter Singer details the philosophy of effective altruism and how it can be applied. There is a strong slant towards utilitarian ethics with a focus on maximising your individual impact whilst helping others. Specific examples are given of how this can change career paths, deciding on charity recipients and donating body parts. It appeals to rationality through a heavy emphasis on data and thinking about trade-offs whist making donation decisions. I summarised the book as follows. "It was a bit of a conflicting read. On the one hand it is logical and well argued but I noticed internal thoughts of counter points and a feeling that the arguments lacked something. Nevertheless, it's a good intro for those unaware of the EA movement and will hopefully make you consider the effects of your donations." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:29) - Synopsis (4:39) - Judging Value: Ethics vs Morals (12:00) - Doing: An emphasis on real world results (18:30) - Observations/Takeaways (24:00) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Tue, April 26, 2022
The Social Leap (William von Hippel) - Book Review
A book that's chockas full of useful info, but that probably only needs to be deeply learnt once. 'The Social Leap' by William von Hippel is a basic overview of our evolutionary past to explain how/why we behave and interact with others. In this case 'we' can be families, communities, companies, nations, couples, etc. It's split into 3 parts (past, present and future) with a mix of case studies, his own work as a psychology professor, quotes from famous books and personal anecdotes. I summarised the book as follows. "The value here isn't in new info but in a solid theme (i.e., how evolution dictates human communication and behaviour) presented in a new way. It helped me to re-examine my own actions and think about hidden influential factors in my own life. I would have rated it higher if this had been my first book about evolution, nevertheless I still enjoyed it a lot." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:52) - Synopsis (4:03) - Evolutionary Basics: Is this essential knowledge? (9:27) - Observations/Takeaways (13:45) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Sun, April 24, 2022
Leaping Into Mythology & The Struggles Of Translation
All in all this wasn't my favourite month of reading, but yet the reading will go on! In April 2022 we covered 5 books on this channel. My favourite of the bunch was 'The Social Leap' which gave me a decent revision of some evolutionary basics. I was also surprised by how underwhelming 'Beowulf' was. I had heard about it a lot over my life up to this point and assumed it was an epic tale that would throw me into a completely new world. However, it was much smaller than I imagined and I really struggled to be amazed by his exploits. I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (1:45) - Medea And Other Plays: Euripides (4:53) - The Social Leap: William Von Hippel (12:46) - Borges On Writing: Jorge Luis Borges (16:44) - Beowulf: Unknown Poet (19:09) - Rogue State: William Blum (20:37) - Boostagram Lounge (24:07) - May 2022 Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Tue, April 19, 2022
Beowulf (Unknown Poet) - Book Review
We're onto the epics again and it's about time some Germanic was thrown in the mix. 'Beowulf' by an unknown poet is a short poem written in Old English and set in Scandinavia (particularly modern day Denmark & Sweden). It tells of 2 battles against monsters (Grendel and Grendel's mother) by the hero Beowulf as he seeks fame and glory. Many years later he has one final fight against a dragon to to defend his land and to acquire the untold riches that it was hoarding. I summarised the book as follows. "Overall I'm slightly let down. I'd heard much about this tale over the years and I expected it to be longer & more absorbing. The only real question it raised for me, is why it is popular in the first place? I'm glad it was short and hope to find other Norse mythology to read through in the future." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:50) - Synopsis (4:31) - Epics: What defines the exalted few? (10:28) - Observations/Takeaways (14:24) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Tue, April 12, 2022
Borges On Writing (Jorge Luis Borges) - Book Review
The subtleties of translation of prose are enigmatic, so I'm glad it's not my job. 'Borges On Writing' by Jorge Luis Borges is an edited transcript of a 1971 seminar in which Borges chats with colleagues and students about all things writing. It includes a deconstruction of his own work, his personal writing process and thoughts on translating from Spanish to English. I summarised the book as follows. "This scratched an itch for me. I was intrigued by the decisions of translators and this gave me some insights into the differences between literal versus free translation. It also gives a glimpse into the 'unpredictable' mind of an artist." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:44) - Synopsis (4:32) - Interpretation: The role of the translator (10:18) - Writers: How to be a good one? (15:31) - Observations/Takeaways (17:34) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Tue, April 05, 2022
Medea And Other Plays (Euripides) - Book Review
The lady in this story takes the idiom of 'cutting off one's nose to spite one's face' to a whole nother level. 'Medea And Other Plays' by Euripides are a collection of 4 complete and translated plays from the Athenian playwright. They are written in the style they were to be performed, so include prompts for the actors and descriptions of what would be happening on the stage. They are relatively simple stories and show the self-destructive effect of revenge and female courage in tough situations. I summarised the book as follows. "This is nice way to learn more about Greek mythology. The characters were way more relatable than the typical heroes and definitely are worthy of the 'drama' title. There was family infighting, arrogant despots, regicide, displays of great sacrifice, traumatic love and nearly even incest! A unique format to learn more about how theatre was performed more than 2000 years ago." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: ( 0:00 ) - Intro ( 0:42 ) - Synopsis ( 4:28 ) - Revenge: Behaviour that makes little sense ( 10:56 ) - Female Courage: How did Greek women display it? ( 14:19 ) - Observations/Takeaways ( 17:38 ) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Tue, March 29, 2022
Rogue State (William Blum) - Book Review
The Mere Mortals review 'Rogue State' by William Blum. Testing america by the same standards that get used to judge other countries. The facts are layed out in this book, but perhaps not in the most consumable and unbiased way. I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Juan out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (1:30) - Synopsis (6:00) - Takeaways Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Sun, March 27, 2022
Madness Saves The Day For This Month!
A book about crazy people (who are actually pretty sane) saved this month from being a mediocre washout. In March we covered 4 books on this channel. It was a mix of social commentary, fictional realism, complex narrative and a biography. The standout for me was 'One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest' by Ken Kesey, a book about a mental hospital with a tyrannical nurse. I loved the concept of the 'Combine' and thought the author did a fantastic job in creating some unique and memorable characters. I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Value For Value (3:30) - One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest: Ken Kesey (11:17) - Dubliners: James Joyce (13:18) - The Green House: Mario Vargas Llosa (15:19) - Steve Jobs: Walter Isaacson (16:54) - Boostagram Lounge (21:59) - YT Comments (24:46) - April 2022 (26:46) - More V4V Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Tue, March 22, 2022
One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest (Ken Kesey) - Book Review
For a bunch of people in a mental hospital there is a whole lot of decent sense making going on. 'One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest' by Ken Kesey is an exploration of social stigma, overbearing control and fighting for the defenceless. The overbearing power of The Combine matched with the machinery of the institution forms a force that seeks to bring order by squashing all before it. Taking place in a mental hospital, it's narrated by one of the patients (The Chief) as he watches the slick newcomer (Randall McMurphy) as he battles the personification of these processes (Nurse Ratched). I summarised the book as follows. "It's a rather bleak story overall but this hits afterwards as during the reading it's mostly amusing. What I really enjoyed were the solid characters that popped out for their uniqueness. It's a great book but I wouldn't put it in my best of all time as many people seem to do. Although I found the themes fascinating it didn't hit as hard as I think it may have during the different era of when it was published." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:34) - Synopsis (4:02) - The Combine: Squashing everyone down to size ...... until it can't. (11:08) - Institutions: What happens if 'order' goes too far? (15:59) - Observations/Takeaways (20:31) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Tue, March 15, 2022
The Green House (Mario Vargas Llosa) - Book Review
There is a reason most writers stick to the standard narrative & chronological format .... and that's because it can be confusing as fuck without it! 'The Green House' by Mario Vargas Llosa is an experimental novel set in the Piura region of northern Peru. It follows 12 characters of roughly equal importance as they deal with interweaving relationships, the rubber trade, Christianity amongst tribal people and the mythical brothel known as The Green House. The stories are set at different places and times over a 40 year period, hence the experimental nature of the book. I summarised the book as follows. "This was mostly just confusing a read. I really struggled to understand the plot and part of this was my fault. It's an experimental book so reading in my non-native language (Spanish) was not a fantastic idea and only reading little bits and pieces over a long time didn't help. That being said I did give it enough chances to grab me with something interesting but nothing really stood out." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:38) - Synopsis (2:23) - Narrative: What is a story? (6:24) - Observations/Takeaways (8:03) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Tue, March 08, 2022
Steve Jobs (Walter Isaacson) - Book Review
'Steve Jobs' by Walter Isaacson is a thick but well informed book into who Steve was, how many of the big brands we know today began and glimpses into stories from many perspectives. I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Juan out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (1:25) - Synopsis (4:45) - Themes (12:10) - Takeaways Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Tue, March 01, 2022
Dubliners (James Joyce) - Book Review
If you want to change your stereotypical impression of the Irish & Dublin .... then don't read this book. 'Dubliners' by James Joyce is a collection of 15 short stories published as his first book. They are mostly a description of middle class Irish life with every story being set somewhere in Dublin. It covers a variety of character ages, lives, settings and situations. One theme that isn't crucial to the plot of any individual story but appears constantly is alcohol and overconsumption. I summarised the book as follows. "I found this rather bland overall. There was nothing that excited me nor that jumped out as intriguing. This could have been 15 stories from any city anywhere in the world and it would have been the same. Life is life and it appears that an Irish Dubliners life is just as mundane as any when diving into the day to day machinations." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:41) - Synopsis (2:42) - The Irish Stereotype: Does anything set it apart? (6:41) - Observations/Takeaways (10:32) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Sun, February 27, 2022
We're Rolling Lovingly Into The Infinite Metaverse
I found a book I rated highly and also had some quotes that spoke to me, which is why this recap is so long! In February we covered 4 books on this channel. It was a mix of philosophy, dystopian sci-fi and emotional love stories. The standout for me was Finite & Infinite Games by James Carse. This is the type of philosophy that I can actually enjoy. It was written in the last couple of decades and whilst has some parts that are difficult to understand, as a whole I found it quite enlightening. Lots of fun books coming up for March so get keen. I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Ooooooh (0:27) - Finite & Infinite Games: James P. Carse (2:34) - Snow Crash: Neal Stephenson (6:03) - The Myth Of Sisyphus: Albert Camus (8:34) - Love Stories: Trent Dalton (9:43) - Quotes (27:41) - Boostagram Lounge Part 1 (32:26) - Boostagram Lounge Part 2 (37:52) - What's Coming Up For Mar 2022? Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Tue, February 22, 2022
Love Stories (Trent Dalton) - Book Review
'Love Stories' by Trent Dalton focus on the myriad experience of love, all told through stories he gained while sitting on the corner of a Brisbane City street. Definitely a book that makes you think about love and helps you reconsider the way you personally have experienced and others individual stories. I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Juan out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (2:00) - Synopsis (4:35) - Themes (7:42) - Takeaways Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Tue, February 15, 2022
Finite And Infinite Games (James P. Carse) - Book Review
Have you thought about what kind of games you've been playing, if not then maybe you should? 'Finite And Infinite Games' by James P. Carse is somewhat of a philosophy that divides human actions and interactions into two types of games. The finite game is bounded, has fixed rules, is serious and theatrical. The infinite game on the other hand has no end, with constantly changing rules/players and has a more casual feeling. I summarised the book as follows. "This is the type of philosophy I can actually enjoy. Carse's general distinction of finite & infinite seemed to make a lot of intuitive sense to me. There were certainly some strange parts of the book but these only minorly subtracted from my overall impression. This is not a book for everybody but has had an impact on me and questioning what games I'm playing in." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:30) - Synopsis (3:05) - Finite vs Infinite: What game are you playing? (12:26) - Genius & Poiesis: Diving nature and creation (20:57) - Observations/Takeaways (23:33) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Tue, February 08, 2022
Snow Crash (Neal Stephenson) - Book Review
A book that had a huge impact at its inception is still gaining cultural relevance 2 decades later. 'Snow Crash' by Neal Stephenson depicts a dystopian USA where technology is way more advanced but life is significantly more dangerous. Hiro Protagonist and YT have to save the world from a biological-cum-digital virus that is enslaving people. Notable for it's futuristic ideas that are appearing in real life (such as VR and the Metaverse), the book also dives deeply into linguistics and the core characteristics of language. I summarised the book as follows. "If you like Sci-Fi & dystopian tales this is a solid read. I wanted to read it for its cultural relevance but was pleasantly surprised by the linguistics information and whether language is universalistic or relativistic. In many ways it's a rather simple story with one dimensional characters but I found this a great casing for the cooler futuristic technology and ideas about how language/communication operates. I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:40) - Synopsis (4:23) - The Metaverse: Better than reality? (10:46) - Language: The core of communication (18:04) - Observations/Takeaways (23:05) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Tue, February 01, 2022
The Myth Of Sisyphus (Albert Camus) - Book Review
Is Sisyphus trapped in an eternal torment, or is he perhaps the most fulfilled man in history? 'The Myth Of Sisyphus' by Albert Camus are multiple essays diving into the philosophy of the absurd. There are 4 main parts that examine whether suicide is a good idea, the thoughts/actions of an absurd man, artists who have created absurd fictional characters and why Sisyphus is the embodiment of the absurd. It also includes some other poetical works, namely of his love for Algiers and its landscape. I summarised the book as follows. "I loved the potential of the initial premise but felt it fell a little flat. It's very poetic and I felt this detracted from the investigations into the morality of suicide. It's useful if you want some philosophy, to know about Absurdism or to enjoy the way that language can be formulated in different ways. I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:30) - Synopsis (3:57) - Absurdism: Accepting the paradox of life (8:32) - Suicide: The only serious question (13:27) - Observations/Takeaways (17:45) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Sun, January 30, 2022
Lot's Of Leviathan's, Nutmeg & Nymphets
Well you can't accuse me of sticking to only one type of book, I was all over shop this month. For January 2022 I tackled Leviathan and man that was booooooorrrrrriiiiiinnnnnnnggggg. I much more enjoyed Lolita (which was less controversial than I thought it would be) and Nathaniel's Nutmeg (detailing the crazy adventurers and merchants in the 1500's). A big thanks to Petar & Oscar Merry for helping to support the show, bloody legends! I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Yes yes welcome (0:27) - Lolita: Vladimir Nabokov (3:23) - Nathaniel's Nutmeg: Giles Milton (6:23) - Leviathan: Thomas Hobbes (9:31) - Twelve And A Half: Gary Vaynerchuk (11:03) - Boostagram Lounge (20:27) - What's Coming Up For Feb 2022? Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Tue, January 25, 2022
Leviathan (Thomas Hobbes) - Book Review
A seminal work that many people like to quote (including me), but probably haven't read (not me now). 'Leviathan' by Thomas Hobbes is a treatise on human nature/government/religion and how they all mingle. His basic argument is that human emotions & our individual rights lead to war. Therefore we need a government to contain this violence. The book is very detailed and contains lots of definitions and formal explanations of his thoughts. I summarised the book as follows. "It's split into 4 separate sections but I could really only read the first 2. I'm not going to lie, I found it a slog & rather unenjoyable. There are snippets of interesting passages but it's a book on politics & government, subjects that are rather unappealing to me. It fixed a misconception I had about Hobbes's general outlook but it was a high price to pay. I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:34) - Synopsis (4:43) - Commonwealths: Why we need political communities for the common good (12:22) - Observations/Takeaways (22:01) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Tue, January 18, 2022
Nathaniel's Nutmeg (Giles Milton) - Book Review
The real spice wars don't turn out so well for the little guy, but there is just as much death/mayhem. 'Nathaniel's Nutmeg' by Giles Milton is a narrative history of the spice trade in the early 1500's to mid 1600's. It reveals the shipping rivalry that occurred between England & The Dutch over the highly valuable spices of nutmeg, pepper and cloves. It's told through individual adventurers with their ships and of their route, tropical diseases, warfare, politics and living conditions. I summarised the book as follows. "A nice overview of a wild time on the high seas. Lot's of compelling adventures & most of it based off documented history. I liked the addition of maps & drawings to give some geographical and visual representation to the tales. There's actually surprisingly little about Nathaniel Courthope but plenty of learning about the Dutch East India Trading Company and the quirks of history." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:36) - Synopsis (4:08) - Death & Disease: The price of adventure (9:52) - Staggering Wealth: The Dutch East India Company (14:37) - Personal Observations/Takeaways (17:38) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Tue, January 11, 2022
Lolita (Vladimir Nabokov) - Book Review
Delusion, obsession and dubious ethical choices swirl around in the head of this unreliable narrator. 'Lolita' by Vladimir Nabokov details the disturbed account of Humbert Humbert's (the narrator) fantasy with the young Dolores Haze (Lolita). Humbert lusts after 'nymphets' and begins a semi-consensual sexual relationship with the underage Lolita. However the relationship is perhaps not all it seems as the delirium and bizarre behaviour of Humbert become more apparent. I summarised the book as follows. "Don't be fooled by the general controversy surrounding the book, I found it be rather mild. It barely hints at a consensual relationship and overall is rather condemning of Humbert's actions. It's cleverly written as your initial impressions of Humbert and Lolita will likely change as the twisted narration becomes hazier. The prose, plot line and style are all fantastic." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (1:00) - Synopsis (6:03) - Nymphets: Sex meets controversy (12:30) - Obsession: The breeding ground for delusion (18:59) - Personal Observations/Takeaways (27:13) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Tue, January 04, 2022
Twelve and a Half (Gary Vaynerchuck) - Book Review
'Twelve and a Half' by Gary Vaynerchuck (aka Gary Vee) focuses on the 12 emotional traits that are the crucial ingredients to successful interactions, on and off the business landscape. The half includes an emotion which Gary himself is building up, kind candor, and the book is split up into three parts: Decription of each emotion, examples and excercises to build up your skills in each emotion. I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Juan out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (1:55) - Synopsis (7:13) - Themes (10:50) - Personal Observations/Takeaways Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Tue, December 28, 2021
The Art of Learning (Josh Waitzkin) - Book Review
'The Art of Learning' by Josh Waitzkin might be better detailed as the Art of Mastering. I summarised the book as follows. "Broken up into the fundamentals and the progress from chess master to push hands champion, Josh does a phenomenal job of sharing his life lessons with us" I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Juan out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (1:30) - Synopsis (6:14) - Themes (12:54) - Takeaways & Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Sun, December 26, 2021
A Slightly Disappointing Month Of Reading :(
Unfortunately there were no real standout books for this month. For December 2021 I have been reading some slightly thinner works and took a break from the philosophy to find some fun ones that wouldn't test my brain too much. And whilst I did enjoy all of these, none of them stood out as something I would remember strongly and be likely to bring up in everyday conversation. I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:47) - The Portrait Of A Lady: Henry James (4:51) - Peril At End House: Agatha Christie (7:38) - Don't Tell Mum I Work On The Rigs: Paul Carter (9:49) - The Art Of Learning: Josh Waitzkin (13:52) - A sneak peak of Jan 2022 (15:01) - V4V Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Tue, December 21, 2021
Don't Tell Mum I Work On The Rigs (Paul Carter) - Book Review
Woooooeeeewooooeeee. Misleading title alert!!! 'Don't Tell Mum I Work On The Rigs' by Paul Carter is a memoir of Paul's 35 years of life from 1969-2004. It's told in a chronological order and is centred around his work life in the oil drilling industry. This profession took him all over the world (Nigeria, Brunei, Colombia, Russia, Singapore, etc.,) and resulted in zany stories involving bar fights, a horny monkey, shocking injuries and a bar full of midgets. I summarised the book as follows. "It's definitely fun & enjoyable, but it won't leave much of an impression on me. There are a lot of crazy stories but I'm unsure of which parts are genuine, especially due to the clickbait title. However, it's a book that will make you want to travel and gain the wildest experiences from life (whether they be good or bad)." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:34) - Synopsis (2:41) - Storytelling: Artistry & embellishing (8:41) - Personal Observations/Takeaways (12:04) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Wed, December 15, 2021
Peril At End House (Agatha Christie) - Book Review
Mon Ami, Hercule Poirot is on the scene! 'Peril At End House' by Agatha Christie is a whodunnit crime story that will leave you guessing until the very end. Nick Buckley has 3 close calls with death before her cousin Maggie is killed in her place. Fortunately Poirot and Hastings are available to investigate the crime and untangle the weave of seemingly incomprehensible events. I summarised the book as follows. "I found this mystery quite fun despite the morbid nature of the crime. It's the perfect length for me & satisfied my OCD of wrapping up everything neatly in a bow. A book like this could be a 10/10 for others but I typically want something more out of the box with new concepts or ideas for my general reading. Nevertheless, it's an amusing problem to try and solve." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:39) - Synopsis (3:17) - Why Whodunnits?: What makes them special (9:32) - Personal Observations/Takeaways (11:29) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Tue, December 07, 2021
The Portrait Of A Lady (Henry James) - Book Review
The ritual of courtship has really changed in the last century & a half. 'The Portrait Of A Lady' by Henry James is a fictional (although realistic) tale of love set in the 19th century. It follows Isabel Archer, a beautiful middle class American teenager who is elevated into the upper society of Europe and is courted by a suite of bachelors. It features a core group of 12-15 ladies & gentlemen and explores the themes of love and societal expectations. I summarised the book as follows. "This book was perfect for lazy night time reading. There's not too many individuals to keep track of and those who exist had depth & complexity. Apart from the strange communication style between characters the rest (scenery, descriptions, plotline, etc.,) was top notch. A nice throwback to see how the upper class lived so very long ago." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:33) - Synopsis (2:59) - Societal Expectations (21:23) - Personal Observations/Takeaways (28:53) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Tue, November 30, 2021
Cilka's Journey (Heather Morris) - Book Review
'Cilka's Journey' by Heather Morris is the sequel to 'The Tattooist of Auschwitz' which we have covered on the channel before. I summarised the book as follows. "Didn't quite live up to the original, the book felt like it was several pages too many and while the story itself was great it could have been constructed in a better way." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Juan out! If you'd like to support the team and grab the book, why not use this link! https://amzn.to/3cV7j87 Timeline: (0:20) - Intro (1:00) - Synopsis (6:30) - Themes (10:55) - Takeaways (15:00) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Sun, November 28, 2021
German Philosophy Is Difficult To Understand: November 2021 Recap
This recap was supported with the help of Petar the slav, many thanks for the boostagrams! Well I tried my best to understand what the Germans think about life but it wasn't too successful. I found the writing of Nietzsche and Heidegger to be quite obscure and didn't really learn anything from them. I did have fun diving into the Dune world though, just in time to see the upcoming movie. Juan enjoyed reading (as much as one can) about the story of The Tattooist Of Auschwitz and I reveal some of the upcoming books that will appear in December. I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:23) - Value For Value: Petar's boostagrams (10:07) - Dune: Frank Herbert (12:33) - Beyond Good And Evil: Friedrich Nietzsche (14:30) - The Question Concerning Technology: Martin Heidegger (15:49) - The Tattooist Of Auschwitz: Heather Morris (18:31) - A sneak peak of December 2021 Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Tue, November 23, 2021
Beyond Good And Evil (Friedrich Nietzsche) - Book Review
I don't use the word often, but 'polemical' describes this work perfectly. 'Beyond Good And Evil' by Friedrich Nietzsche is mostly an attack on philosophers but also contains snippets of his general thoughts on the interplay between religion & society, the mindset of a free spirit and some other assorted rants. It was originally written in his native German and is mostly comprised of statements (rather than logical arguments) of his opinions on all these topics. I summarised the book as follows. "It's an angry book written in an angry way by an angry guy. I struggled to understand a lot but there were hints that it could become clearer with more reading of his other philosophical works. I'm not really convinced by anything he said as he provided no basis for his statements, they were all personal assertions. I might come back and try again one day but this attempt was of little value." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:28) - Synopsis (3:17) - The Free Spirit: A break from blind dogmatism (7:07) - Assorted Rants: Beyond sane and rational (13:55) - Personal Observations/Takeaways (20:51) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Tue, November 16, 2021
The Question Concerning Technology (Martin Heidegger) - Book Review
More questions than answers, more confusion than clarity. 'The Question Concerning Technology' by Martin Heidegger is a philosophical book containing multiple essays by the German philosopher. It centres around his concepts of 'Standing Reserve' & 'Enframing' but also contains a deconstruction of Nietzsche as well. The book contains no real structure but does have many helpful notes from the translator (as it was originally written in German). I summarised the book as follows. "I have no idea what this book was about. Major props and kudos to anyone who can understand it. I gave it a low rating not because I disagreed or disliked the thesis, simply because I didn't understand it. One of those books where I'm not at all encouraged to even attempt to read any of the author's other works." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:37) - Synopsis (2:43) - ??? (4:49) - Personal Observations/Takeaways (9:04) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Tue, November 09, 2021
The Tattooist of Auschwitz (Heather Morris) - Book Review
'The Tattooist of Auschwitz' by Heather Morris blends fiction with reality to bring the tale of the Tattooist of Auschwitz to us all, his love for Gita and the things one must do to survive. I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Juan out! If you would like to support the Mere Mortals, feel free to grab this book here: https://amzn.to/3H16rMO Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:30) - Synopsis (8:40) - Themes/Takeaways (11:34) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Tue, November 02, 2021
Dune (Frank Herbert) - Book Review
He who controls the spice controls the universe! 'Dune' by Frank Herbert is a sci-fi classic that is comparable with some of the other amazing fictional universes. The story takes place on Arrakis, a barren planet scarce of water but containing the immensely valuable spice. House Atreides suffers a catastrophic betrayal and so the young Duke Paul undergoes a quest for revenge and to restore his rightful inheritance. I summarised the book as follows. "It's a fun world and I can see why it has fanatical supporters. I found it easier reading than LOTR but also noticed myself skipping the poetry & songs. It's great for night time reading and to lose myself in the story, but I probably won't bother to dive fully into the whole Dune universe." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:33) - Synopsis (3:59) - Water & Spice: All you need in life (9:22) - The Essence of Sci-Fi: Making boring stuff fun (13:24) - Personal Observations/Takeaways (16:01) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Tue, October 26, 2021
Humankind (Rutger Bregman) - Book Review
Everything you know about human nature is a falsehood, but maybe that's a good thing. 'Humankind' by Rutger Bregman is an argument for why humans are good at heart (and in action). He presents this as a dichotomy between the philosophy of Thomas Hobbes & Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Much of the book is spent debunking commonly cited examples of our innate cruelty (Milgram Shock/Standford Prison experiments), but also has anecdotes from history and more trustworthy statistics. I summarised the book as follows. "It's a crazy amount of condensed critical thinking. It burst a couple of ideas that were too simplistic but also might be refuted in the future for the same reason. It's well presented and contains elements of Rutger's personality (which matches my own) that made me like the book even more, although this obviously clouds my judgement as to the absolute 'truth' of his arguments. Nevertheless, being hopeful is fun!" I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:29) - Synopsis (4:19) - Veneer Theory: Are we about to crack? (7:44) - A Hopeful History: Mixing the future and past (11:53) - Personal Observations/Takeaways (16:27) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Mon, October 25, 2021
Slowing The Pace: October 2021 Recap
I had to slow down my reading pace to about 1 x book per week due to focusing on some new goals. I also think my average page length might be slightly increasing which also is a reason for the slow down. So only 3 x reviews for me from this month. The real highlight (which I forgot to mention) was Juan's review of Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari which he reckons is the best book he's ever read. Worth going to check out that book review! I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (1:01) - Humankind: Rutger Bregman (4:24) - An Autobiography: M.K. Gandhi (8:04) - The Heart Of The Buddha's Teaching: Thich Nhat Hanh (11:23) - Boostagram time (15:05) - A sneak peak of November 2021 Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Tue, October 19, 2021
Sapiens (Yuval Noah Harari) - Book Review
Let's go on a journey through human history in 500 pages. A glimpse into my love for the book Sapiens, the points that really struck me and how much information can be packed in one book is beyond me. I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Juan out! If you would like to support us and grab the book use our link here! https://amzn.to/3vfVfXe Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:28) - Synopsis (3:05) - Not a historical book (4:35) - Synopsis, or not (5:27) - Personal observations (10:15) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortals... Discord: https://discord.gg/BeCRYs4E Support the show
Tue, October 12, 2021
An Autobiography (M.K. Gandhi) - Book Review
A delve into the thoughts of a great leader, inspiring visionary, a venerable soul, but ultimately just a man. 'An Autobiography' by M.K. Gandhi (also known as 'My Experiments With Truth') is an overview of his life from birth in 1869 to 1921. It is split into 5 parts which reflect his time spent studying in England, working in South Africa and protesting in India. It was originally published as a series in a magazine in 166 individual chapters, so contains diverse topics such as dietetics, ethics, weaving and his reasoning behind particular decisions. I summarised the book as follows. "It's a brief glimpse into the life of an extraordinary dude. I really admire certain aspects of his personality but also dislike others. The writing in the book is of high quality but unfortunately autobiographies are not my favourite so this won't make it into my best of all time list. However, I do think it might be great for those who already love the effect that Gandhi had on the world an want to learn more about his personal life." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:40) - Synopsis (4:06) - Satya: Truth & God (6:31) - Ahisma: Nonviolence (11:07) - Personal Observations/Takeaways (15:08) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Tue, October 05, 2021
The Heart Of The Buddha's Teaching (Thich Nhat Hanh) - Book Review
I'm finding a common pattern amongst books on this subject that I'm really not enjoying. 'The Heart Of The Buddha's Teaching' by Thich Nhat Hanh is an explanation of the most essential ideas, instructions, teachings and guides of Buddhism & the Buddha. It is split into 4 parts with the first two deconstructing the Four Noble Truths & The Noble Eightfold Path and the latter two examining other basic precepts and direct discourses from the Buddha. I summarised the book as follows. "For me, nothing distinguishes this from any of the other Buddhism books that I have read. I found it a bit too disordered and honestly struggled to get through it. It contains all the core info I have learnt from Buddhism but you are probably better suited to gain this knowledge from somewhere like Wikipedia." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:37) - Synopsis (2:51) - The Buddha's Teaching: Core doctrines of Buddhism (8:06) - The Heart: Other basics & discourses (10:21) - Personal Observations/Takeaways (14:55) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Tue, September 28, 2021
The Death Of Ivan Ilyich (Leo Tolstoy) - Book Review
Authentically Russian. Depressingly bleak, a touch of divinity and more than a little strange. 'The Death Of Ivan Ilyich' by Leo Tolstoy is a collection of 11 novellas, which contain Russian everything (characters, landscape, traditions, culture, etc.,). There is no connecting theme in the stories but they do contain some commonalities. They're told from an outside narrator, have men as the principal characters, contain multiple references to Russian words or Arabic influences and are about everyday interactions. I summarised the book as follows. "These are probably the easiest way to introduce yourself to Tolstoy's 'realistic fiction' without having to commit to an 800+ page book like Anna Karenina or War & Peace. I've never been to Russia but this conforms to most of what I have heard elsewhere about their traditions and culture. There is a strong emphasis on the bleakness and suffering in life, but hey, that's just how Russians roll." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:38) - Synopsis (3:28) - Anguish: Extreme unhappiness due to mental/physical suffering (8:22) - Rumination: The Russian version of introspection (12:19) - Personal Observations/Takeaways (13:33) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Sun, September 26, 2021
A Mixed Bag: September 2021 Recap
Recap timeeee! Yessiree, here's an overview of the 7 books I read (and 2 x book review from Juan) that was posted in September 2021. The standout for me was Candide by Voltaire, very witty and has obviously stood the test of time (it was published 260 years ago!). Most of the rest were pretty solid books that ranged from philosophy to children's books to religion to suffering (both fictional and in real life). Quite a mixed bag indeed. I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:37) - Candide: Voltaire (1:45) - The Little Prince: Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (2:57) - Going Clear: Lawrence Wright (4:18) - Lord Of The Flies: William Golding (5:53) - Hiroshima: John Hersey (7:20) - Discourses & Selected Writings: Epictetus (9:18) - The Death Of Ivan Ilyich: Leo Tolstoy (11:13) - Changes coming up in October 2021 Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Fri, September 24, 2021
Lord Of The Flies (William Golding) - Book Review
A dive into the brutality of humanity, but childlike in nature and without the bullshit of politics. 'Lord Of The Flies' by William Golding is a boy's dream adventure that takes a dark turn. It begins with an intro to a group of 6-14 year olds who are stranded on a small island without an adult in site. Tensions run high as the responsible tribe formed by Ralph is splintered by the tribalistic Jack. The savagery of human nature and deep seated fear of the Beast is exposed as the hunting progresses. I summarised the book as follows. "It's a tale of day/night, beauty/beast and fun/fear. It takes a real look at human nature by examining us at our most primal, when we are little beastly children. It's a short book but gives you time to get to know each character. Overall it felt like a mix of Robinson Crusoe with any generic children's book (such as The Fantastic Five or Deltora Quest)." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:34) - Synopsis (3:57) - Human Nature: Savagery without sophistication (7:32) - The Beast: A meta-fear that everyone knows (12:41) - Personal Observations/Takeaways (16:11) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Tue, September 21, 2021
Hiroshima (John Hersey) - Book Review
Shocking and devastating in every which way. 'Hiroshima' by John Hersey details the accounts of 6 survivors from the atomic blast on August 6, 1945 @ 8:15 am. It goes over their injuries, the general chaos, widespread destructive effects, uncertainty of the future, overt heroism on the morning of, and the statistics of the death count. 5 chapters form a timeline of their stories before/during/1 day/3 days and 40 years after their horrific ordeal. I summarised the book as follows. "It's a brief snapshot of an event that changed the lives of so many. This was my second reading and some of the stories were still imprinted on my brain from the first time. Overall it's a short & unemotional recount from individuals, but it will still probably make you as the reader tear up from the sheer tragedy/magnitude caused by one bomb." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:31) - Synopsis (3:06) - Devastation: Severe & overwhelming shock or grief (7:27) - Personal Observations/Takeaways (9:42) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Fri, September 17, 2021
Discourses & Selected Writings (Epictetus) - Book Review
Like most moralising old men, this philosopher will either enlighten you, bore you, piss you off or a combo of all. 'Discourses & Selected Writings' by Epictetus are the words of wisdom from a notable stoic philosopher. It goes over his core principles/main ideas through the medium of assertions, arguments and conversations. Like most stoic philosophy, there is an emphasis on making this practical and pragmatic; to provide implementable changes in your day to day life. I summarised the book as follows. "Rome wasn't built in a day and stoic philosophy is not just one guy. After reading multiple stoics I believe you'll find your favourite author, which actually is Marcus Aurelius for me. The core message I got from this is that one should watch their own reactions and to anticipate your emotions before immediately acting upon them. Epictetus is very assertive and somewhat humorous in his stubbornness, a grumpy old man for sure." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:31) - Synopsis (3:28) - Impressions: Noticing the initial reaction (6:40) - Pragmatic Philosophy: Implementing changes in the real world (9:51) - Personal Observations/Takeaways (11:43) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Tue, September 14, 2021
Going Clear (Lawrence Wright) - Book Review
Begone you engrams, let me be the Thetan I was born to be! 'Going Clear' by Lawrence Wright is an exposé mixed with the history of Scientology. The first half begins with a bio on the mythical/enigmatic L. Ron Hubbard and his life. The second half is of modern Scientology & its influential figures (such as David Miscavige, Tom Cruise and Paul Haggis). The book explores the beliefs, controversies, internal disputes as well as asking what is a religion? I summarised the book as follows. "I felt it was a fair take on the history and religion of Scientology. It presented both sides of the story and looked into some of the more 'out there' and just plain false assertions of Hubbard and the behaviour of the Sea Org & its leaders. An engaging read considering I don't care much for the topic of religion." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:36) - Synopsis (3:10) - Belief: Faith, fact, fiction or science (8:23) - The Church: What defines a religion? (12:20) - Personal Observations/Takeaways (14:50) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Fri, September 10, 2021
The Little Prince (Antoine de Saint-Exupéry) - Book Review
One of those rare books that appeals to adults & kids alike. 'The Little Prince' by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry is a surprisingly complex story to convey a simple message. It is a combination of two tales that are intertwined together. One is of an adult aviator who has forgotten how to see the world through the eyes of a child. The other is of an interstellar boy who easily sees the foolishness of adults, but also must learn about relationships and love. I summarised the book as follows. "It's definitely worth of the 'classic' moniker. It has planes, planets in outer space, a bunch of weirdos and a cool fox (what more does one need)! It's a nice reminder to find some childlike naivety and view the world through a new pair of eyes. A very solid book." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:27) - Synopsis (3:25) - Childlike Innocence: The pleasure & pain of youth (7:02) - Life Lessons: Let's add some adult complexity (11:08) - Personal Observations/Takeaways (12:50) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Thu, September 09, 2021
Everyone Has A Plan Until Sh!t Hits The Fan (Tofe Evans) - Book Review
'Everyone Has A Plan Until Sh!t Hits The Fan' by Tofe Evans looks at the journey from dispair & depression through to success, a focused mind and personal resilience. I summarised the book as follows. "A quaint and straight to the point book written by Tofe. The quintessential self-help book written by someone who just wants to ensure it is read by someone and helps them out to the utmost. Splices his troubles as a young man, getting out of drug addictions and using running as the tool to harden his mind." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Juan out! If you would like to support the channel, you can grab yourself a copy of the book here! https://amzn.to/2WsFZZG Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:56) - Synopsis (6:05) - Themes (11:20) - Personal Observations Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Wed, September 08, 2021
Candide (Voltaire) - Book Review
An unwavering spirit maybe isn't such a great thing after all. 'Candide' by Voltaire is a funny satire on the philosophical idea/theory of Optimism, which was popular during the French Enlightenment. It is a roving adventure of the ever hopeful Candide as he learns about the harshness of the world while chasing his love Cunégonde and spreading the philosophy of Dr Pangloss. His travels take him across Europe, South America & the Middle East with numerous mishaps and encounters with embittered souls along the way. I summarised the book as follows. "It's an absolutely biting attack on the idea that 'all is for the best in the best of all possible worlds'. The humour is fantastic and it can be read lightly as an engaging story containing memorable characters. It can also make you think deeply about ethics and philosophy if you choose to do so. Quite similar in style to Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! If you would like to support the channel, you can grab yourself a copy of the book here! https://amzn.to/2UMfxd9 Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:25) - Synopsis (2:53) - Optimism: Insisting all is good when it really isn't (6:05) - Pessimism: Joy in the worst of all possible worlds (8:20) - Personal Observations/Takeaways (12:05) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
Tue, September 07, 2021
Shoe Dog (Phil Knight) - Book Review
'Shoe Dog' by Phil Knight details the journey of Nike's humble beginnings, from the Blue Ribbon Sports, through battling the Fed's, getting thrown out by banks.. the story does not hold back. I summarised the book as follows. "I really enjoyed reading this book, the way that Phil wrote the book himself and allowed the story to shine was excellent" I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Mere Mortals out! If you would like to support the team and enjoyed this review, you can grab a copy using the following link! https://amzn.to/3yEXXWr Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:54) - Synopsis (4:30) - Themes (10:05) - Personal Observations/Takeaways (13:40) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E134 · Sun, August 29, 2021
What I Read In August | Book Recap
Bit of a different episode for you today, I'm outdoors! And indeed I'm giving a recap of the 7 books I read (and 1 x book review from Juan) that was posted in August 2021. The standout really was Catch-22, can't rave about this book highly enough. It will make you laugh and still has plenty of room to bring up some darker themes related to war and the absurdity of politics/bureaucracy. Highly recommended!! I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:21) - Catch-22 (1:23) - Heart of Darkness (3:08) - Of Mice & Men (5:04) - The Sailor Who Fell From Grace With The Sea (6:33) - Breakfast At Tiffany's (8:44) - Mortality (11:50) - The Cubs & Other Stories (13:35) - The Art of Resilience (14:49) - What's coming up next month? Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E131 · Fri, August 27, 2021
Breakfast At Tiffany's (Truman Capote) - Book Review
You only have yourself to blame if you get burnt by girls like this. 'Breakfast At Tiffany's' by Truman Capote is set in the middle of WWII in glamorous New York City. An unnamed narrator meets Holly Golightly, a young & pretty socialite who lives in his apartment building. Over the course of a year he becomes fascinated with her enigmatic lifestyle and her charisma. The book contains no real plot line and is more of a look at life in the 1940's and of why Holly is such a fascinating individual. I summarised the book as follows. "It's a simple story of a carefree socialite who doesn't learn any lesson in particular. Holly certainly leaves an impression whether it be bad or good. I thought the 'untameable wild animal' analogy used in the books was quite a suitable way to describe her. I'd really like to meet someone like her in person but think that the real life experience might not be as fun as it appears in writing." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! If you would like to support the channel, you can grab yourself a copy of the book here! https://amzn.to/2Wpg5qg Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:35) - Synopsis (3:37) - Female Charisma: Beautifully enigmatic with feminine wiles (8:14) - Personal Observations/Takeaways (11:56) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E130 · Tue, August 24, 2021
Catch-22 (Joseph Heller) - Book Review
Easily the funniest book I've ever read! 'Catch-22' by Joseph Heller is fictional novel set on a US air force base on an island off Northern Italy during WWII. It follows Yossarian whilst he tries to avoid flying missions as everyone is out to kill him. He is joined by a collection of other wacky characters as they all show their peculiar idiosyncrasies. The book highlights the absurdity of army politics, the waste that is generated by bureaucracy and the mundanity of war (with brief flashes of intensity). I summarised the book as follows. "To say this is funny is an understatement. It is absolutely hilarious although it does contain disturbing/gory scenes, as it is after all about war. Catch-22 has become mainstay of the English language due to the absolute perfection of Heller in creating situation of paradox that can't be resolved. One of the best books I've ever read!" I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! If you would like to support the channel, you can grab yourself a copy of the book here! https://amzn.to/3zmGbIH Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:30) - Synopsis (3:11) - Catch-22: The funny side of paradox (6:58) - The Wastage Of War: Ridiculous, futile bureaucracy in action (11:41) - Personal Observations/Takeaways (15:17) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E129 · Fri, August 20, 2021
The Art of Resilience (Ross Edgley) - Book Review
"What can we learn from the individual who swam around Great Britain" 'The Art of Resilience' by Ross Edgely walks through the strategies for an unbreakable mind and body - right up the Mere Mortals alley! In summary "Simply written, it ties together Ross's learnings while swimming around Great Britain and brings together information that he has sourced through a lot of his travels as well tribulations. The learning summaries at the end of each chapter where nice, but after a while i found myself not reading them. It showed a lot of emotional points as well. Overall solid". I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Juan out! If you would like to support the channel, you can grab yourself a copy of the book here! https://amzn.to/2UT3Dyo Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(1:40) - Synopsis(4:35) - Themes(10:50) - Personal Observations/Takeaways(16:30) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E128 · Tue, August 17, 2021
Heart Of Darkness (Joseph Conrad) - Book Review
You would have to have a heart of darkness to not feel anything from this tale. 'Heart Of Darkness' by Joseph Conrad is a fictional reworking of Conrad's own journey through the Congolese jungle. Marlow (the narrator) is a new captain that must direct his steamboat through the heart of the jungle to relieve agents of the ivory trader. He tells of his meeting with the almost mythical Kurtz, a charismatic madman with high aspirations to become 'great'. I summarised the book as follows. " It packs a punch for something so small. The pace is slow which adds to the heavy atmosphere of malaise & dark oppression. I found myself fearing what Marlow would find as he progresses deeper into the heart of the jungle. Kurtz as a character also made an impression, despite his brief actual appearance. Definitely want to read more from Conrad in the future." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! If you would like to support the channel, you can grab yourself a copy of the book here! https://amzn.to/3jqFs3T Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:30) - Synopsis (3:50) - Darkness: The horror of the ivory trade (8:23) - Madness: Losing the 'heart' of your ideals (11:54) - Personal Observations/Takeaways (15:09) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E127 · Fri, August 13, 2021
Mortality (Christopher Hitchens) - Book Review
A topic that effects all of us Mere Mortals. 'Mortality' by Christopher Hitchens is brief (& somewhat meandering) reflection on dying. Hitch was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in 2010 and the disease 'battled him' for a 1.5 years before his death. The book is not focused on death itself, but more the process of dying. This includes his thoughts on being in/out of hospital, deterioration of the body and the public perception/reaction to cancer. I summarised the book as follows. "It's a quick farewell to those of us that remain. Christopher seemed like a crazy, cool guy who did what he loved. What it shows is a small snapshot of the horrors that cancer bring to all. A reminder that we all indeed are simply Mere Mortals." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! If you would like to support the channel, you can grab yourself a copy of the book here! https://amzn.to/3ykTUhV Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:37) - Synopsis (3:34) - Mortality: The state of being susceptible to death (11:27) - Personal Observations/Takeaways (16:06) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E126 · Tue, August 10, 2021
Cubs & Other Stories (Mario Vargas Llosa) - Book Review
The adolescent Peruvian coming of age story seems a tad more intense than most others. 'Cubs & Other Stories' by Mario Vargas Llosa is a group of 7 fictional (but lifelike) short stories mostly involving young men/boys. The titular story is of a boy who is castrated by a dog and then turns into a wild rebellious teen. All take place in Peru with most of them occurring in the capital of Lima. These were written at the start of Llosa's career and were mostly published independently in newspapers before being compiled. I summarised the book as follows. "My thoughts on books that are 'collections' has not altered in the slightest. Due to the quantity of slang this was a difficult read in Spanish and I'm not sure the English version would have been any more interesting. It wasn't bad but there was nothing within that stood out (maybe due to the young age of the author)." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! If you would like to support the channel, you can grab yourself a copy of the book here! https://amzn.to/2WxQHP0 Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:33) - Synopsis (2:48) - Young Men: Risk takers due to differing values (5:49) - Personal Observations/Takeaways (7:26) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E125 · Fri, August 06, 2021
Of Mice & Men (John Steinbeck) - Book Review
Lots of mice and lots of men, just what I like in my books! 'Of Mice & Men' by John Steinbeck is a short novella about migrant farm workers set in Soledad, California during the early 20th century. Lennie is a mentally disabled 'gentle giant' who accompanies the quick-witted George in their travels. Lennie inadvertently draws in trouble and relies on George to survive. The core themes explore the cruel mercy required to prevent great pain, the rollercoaster ride of hope with dashed dreams & the different types of loneliness. I summarised the book as follows. "This is a quick taste of what to expect in Steinbeck's masterpiece 'The Grapes of Wrath'. It got deep into the heart of each character with minimal words. Will probably leave you a bit sad afterwards and thankful that your life is not like that of those in the book. Short, sharp and stinging." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! If you would like to support the channel, you can grab yourself a copy of the book here! https://amzn.to/3mAgKjc Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:30) - Synopsis (2:12) - Cruel Mercy: Causing pain to prevent greater pain (6:29) - Dashed Dreams: Life has no mercy (8:39) - Personal Observations/Takeaways (10:28) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E124 · Tue, August 03, 2021
The Sailor Who Fell From Grace With The Sea (Yukio Mishima) - Book Review
A book where I'm certainly glad the ending got cut short! 'The Sailor Who Fell From Grace With The Sea' by Yukio Mishima is a story of 3 characters with romantic notions that crunch up against reality. Set in post WWII Yokohoma, young Noboru struggles to accept the courtship and impending marriage of his widowed mother Fusako with the stoic sailor Ryuji. The themes delve into the sentimental honour to be gained with glory and finding meaning in life by dampening emotions to embrace destruction/emptiness. I summarised the book as follows. "All 3 have an idealised emotional perspective of the world which seems to come crashing down, for better and worse. I liked the 3 pronged storyline & gained some insight into Japanese culture. I myself wasn't too put off by the disturbing scene with the kitten, but this isn't for the squeamish." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! If you would like to support the channel, you can grab yourself a copy of the book here! https://amzn.to/38o0xFK Timeline: (0:00) - Intro (0:27) - Synopsis (4:01) - Glory: Honour gained by notable achievements (7:24) - Inhuman: Finding meaning through destruction & emptiness (10:18) - Personal Observations/Takeaways (13:27) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E122 · Fri, July 30, 2021
Gould's Book Of Fish (Richard Flanagan) - Book Review
An absurd, ridiculous tale of dark humour that might just contain some deeper meaning. 'Gould's Book Of Fish' by Richard Flanagan tells the tale of William Buelow Gould, an English convict transported to the penal colony on Sarah's Island and who becomes enamoured with ..... fishes! Whilst it contains elements of real life it is dominated by the fantastical events & insanity of the principal characters. I summarised the book as follows. "I hope Flanagan has as much fun writing this as I did reading it. It's a mad tale narrated by a loony convict. So many good points with the unique fish chapters, absurd humour & entertaining characters. The only downside is that I'm disinterested in art/fishes/penal colonial history so the backdrop wasn't my favourite. I do think this book could be amazing for other people though." As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! If you would like to support the channel, you can grab yourself a copy of the book here! https://amzn.to/3sXxjHi Timeline: (0:00) - Intro & Synopsis (4:00) - Insanity: A reasonable method for sense making (9:13) - Fiction: A vehicle for imparting meaning (rather than truth) (12:53) - Personal Observations/Takeaways (14:39) - Summary (15:30) - Aussie Slang Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E123 · Tue, July 27, 2021
My Brilliant Career (Miles Franklin) - Book Review
Not sure I've read a book full of more dislikeable characters. 'My Brilliant Career' by Miles Franklin is set in 1890's rural Australia and recounts the maturation of Sybylla Melvyn from age 16-21. Sybylla's ambition is grandiose and she constantly struggles to deal with her immediate circumstances and believes herself above the indigence of her family. The book is notable for the young age of Franklin upon publication (21 yrs old) and that it has developed into an Aussie classic over the course of 120+ years. I summarised the book as follows. "It's a feminist text from a different time, a capsule into the past. I found Sybylla to be a total brat and conceited/entitled beyond belief. Although most of my observations were critical of the character's personalities I did appreciate the descriptions of the bush, real life qualities of the people & the general glimpse into old rural Australia. As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! If you would like to support the channel, you can grab yourself a copy of the book here! https://amzn.to/3sUyJ5b Timeline: (0:00) - Intro & Synopsis (3:31) - Ambition: The desire for distinction (7:04) - Adversity: Enduring the tragedy of the times (10:06) - Personal Observations/Takeaways (12:26) - Summary (13:22) - Aussie Slang Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E121 · Mon, July 26, 2021
The Best Australian Books - Aussie Book Month
Aussie Aussie Aussie! Books Books Books! Want a collection of some of the best Australian books, I got you covered. I read 8 books this month and 5 of these are considered classics while the other 3 are more modern. I had lots of fun diving into the world of Australian literature and found out that we actually have some good authors, both in the past and present. Worth giving them a check out if you're feeling patriotic! As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Introduction (0:55) - My Brother Jack - George Johnston (3:05) - Picnic At Hanging Rock - Joan Lindsay (8:00) - We Of The Never Never & The Little Black Princess - Jeannie Gunn (10:18) - Gould's Book Of Fish - Richard Flanagan (12:09) - My Brilliant Career - Miles Franklin (14:12) - Requiem With Yellow Butterflies - James Halford (16:15) - Poems Of The Bush - Banjo Paterson (18:20) - True History Of The Kelly Gang - Peter Carey (21:12) - Other Aussie Books I Didn't Get To (23:40) - Aussie Slang (25:20) - The Mere Mortals Podcast Has More Book Related Ideas (26:23) - What's Coming Up For August Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E120 · Fri, July 23, 2021
Requiem With Yellow Butterflies (James Halford) - Book Review
The best way to describe this book is that it's an academic version of the travel memoirs I wouldn't write. 'Requiem With Yellow Butterflies' by James Halford is an Aussie book that is non-linear and contains a jumpy back and forth structure. It contains his South American travel memoirs from 2007, analysis of various influential authors and their works plus a present day love story alternating between Brisbane/Mexico City with his Mexican wife. It explores the experiences of travel, the point of literature and the complexities of personal relationships. I summarised the book as follows. "It's not my type of structure but was saved by the cool topics. I am fascinated with travel, South America, books and languages all of which were prominent throughout. Unfortunately, I struggled to really enjoy it due to the compilation style and was just too jumpy for me." As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! If you would like to support the channel, you can grab yourself a copy of the book here! https://amzn.to/3sZfEyW Timeline: (0:00) - Intro & Synopsis (2:30) - Travel: Why do we do it? (6:53) - Analysing Books: Why do we do it? (10:55) - Personal Observations/Takeaways (15:03) - Summary (16:04) - Aussie Slang Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E119 · Tue, July 20, 2021
My Brother Jack (George Johnston) - Book Review
It's eerie coming across the literary version of yourself, essentially the same person who lived a different life and made different decisions. 'My Brother Jack' by George Johnston is a classic Aussie story about family relations, cultural snapshots, responsibility and dashed dreams. It is narrated by David Meredith and is mostly an introspective story but with the constant play of the polarity between himself and his brother Jack. There are many themes contained within but David's shirking of responsibility and Jack's portrayal as the classic Aussie bloke really jump out. I summarised the book as follows. "It him home hard and was maybe even too close to home. I saw so much of my innate personality in David, basically an alternate Kyrin living an alternate life (& I didn't like what I saw eeeep). It reveals the cultural feeling in the air between the two world wars and the ending left me reeling. A fantastic book that is very close to being in my top 10!" As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro & Synopsis (4:21) - Shirking: An avoidance of duty &/or responsibility (9:59) - Old Mate: What makes an Aussie man? (15:33) - Personal Observations/Takeaways (21:12) - Summary (22:16) - Aussie Slang Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E118 · Fri, July 16, 2021
Innovation in Australia (Ben Kehoe) - Book Review
'Innovation in Australia' by Ben Kehoe explores big questions which ultimately land us with a view that we really need a better vision for our future. Can business leaders can play a bigger role? In Innovation in Australia: Creating Prosperity for Future Generations, Ben Kehoe discusses how Australian businesses can improve their rates of collaboration, commercialising our innovative Australian ideas here, rather than shipping them offshore, and how this can increase the prosperity of our nation. If you would like to support the channel and grab the book, find the following handy link! https://amzn.to/3hw8Zbb As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Mere Mortals out! Timeline:(0:00) - Intro & Synopsis(2:30) - Summary(5:00) - Themes(9:40) - Moon Shots https://innovationinaustralia.com.au/ Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E117 · Tue, July 13, 2021
Picnic At Hanging Rock (Joan Lindsay) - Book Review
So have you solved the mystery of what actually happened at Hanging Rock? 'Picnic At Hanging Rock' by Joan Lindsay is a fictional mystery that actually occurs at a real place. We follow the ladies from an Australian boarding school as their ideal day takes a tragic turn for the worse. The book is notable for it's rapid character switching and detailed descriptions of the scenery and unfolding events. I summarised the book as follows. "I was slightly hesitant at first but this book surprised me. It depicts the Aussie way of life with beautiful imagery of the landscape and deceptiveness of everyday mundane interactions all couched in that air of unfolding mystery. From start to finish it will keep you guessing whether it was an explainable tragedy, sinister actions of an unknown party or perhaps even malevolent forces at work." As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! If you would like to support the channel, you can grab yourself a copy of the book here! https://amzn.to/3sVdcJy Timeline: (0:00) - Intro & Synopsis (2:53) - The Mystery: What the hell happened at Hanging Rock? (5:52) - The Details: Plentiful & descriptive (7:52) - Personal Observations/Takeaways (8:46) - Summary (9:17) - Aussie Slang Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E116 · Fri, July 09, 2021
True History Of The Kelly Gang (Peter Carey) - Book Review
Whilst reading this 'true' history I couldn't tell whether I was confused, annoyed, entertained or disappointed. 'True History Of The Kelly Gang' by Peter Carey is a fictional retelling of the famous bushman's life from beginning til end. It's a 1st person narrative told from Ned Kelly's point of view using the medium of letters addressed to his fictional daughter. It tells of his troubled childhood, apprenticeship under Harry Power, the police corruption & circumstances that drove him to a life of crime before the final siege and death of both him and his gang. I summarised the book as follows. "This book has a pretty loose use of the term 'true'. For me it was a mixed bag in total. It really did feel like Ned's words & I would get sucked into the story only to be spat out by a strange phrasing (using adjectival instead of actual swear words) or obvious creations that had nothing to do with the traditional Kelly gang mythology (cross-dressing Irish traditions for example). It's a fascinating history, but for me unfortunately not this version." As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! If you would like to support the channel, you can grab yourself a copy of the book here! https://amzn.to/3zsCAJg Timeline: (0:00) - Intro & Synopsis (2:34) - A Rebel: Armed resistance to an authority (5:25) - History: A study of the past 'truth' (8:24) - Personal Observations/Takeaways (10:00) - Summary (10:44) - Aussie Slang Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E115 · Tue, July 06, 2021
Poems Of The Bush (Banjo Paterson) - Book Review
It's harder to get more Aussie than the poet who created Australia's unofficial 2nd anthem. 'Poems Of The Bush' by Banjo Paterson is a picturesque book that combines his descriptive poetry with the colourful plates of Aussie artists. As the name implies, these are 23 of his over 160+ poems that are centred on the Australian outback and its rugged beauty. Two of his most notable works are not included (Waltzing Matilda/The Man From Snowy River) but it does include classics such as Clancy Of The Overflow, With The Cattle and Sunrise On The Coast. I summarised the book as follows. "This is about as Aussie as Aussie can get. It's hard to think of another Australian poet (although that might just be my lack of artistic education showing). It contains a pretty good description of what scenery we have to offer on the inside of our country. I myself don't love this type of nature so struggled to really connect with his poems, but they are decent enough." As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! If you would like to support the channel, you can grab yourself a copy of the book here! https://amzn.to/3sY1TjH Timeline: (0:00) - Intro & Synopsis (4:00) - The Bush: A rugged beauty (6:13) - Personal Observations/Takeaways (8:26) - Summary (9:00) - Aussie Slang Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E113 · Fri, July 02, 2021
We Of The Never Never & The Little Black Princess (Jeannie Gunn) - Book Review
What was Aussie bush life like back over 100 years ago? 'We Of The Never Never & The Little Black Princess' by Jeannie Gunn are 2 separate stories (combined into 1 book) of her recollections living in the remote bush at the Elsey Cattle Station in the Northern Territory. The first story is of her maturation into a dependable missus and the characteristics of the people living in the outback. The second story is of Bett-Bett, an aboriginal girl who lives on the homestead for a short period where Mrs Gunn learns of the bizarre and astounding aspects of aboriginal culture. I summarised the book as follows. "It's decent writing and something completely new for me. I found it to be a pretty authentic view of Aussie bush culture, bush folk and of bush land. It gave me a new perspective of Aboriginal customs, both the ridiculous superstitious parts and the fun jovial parts. This book as a whole isn't a gamechanger, but I'm glad I read the two tales." As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! If you would like to support the channel, you can grab yourself a copy of the book here! https://amzn.to/3yqkaHJ Timeline: (0:00) - Intro & Synopsis (4:48) - Bush Folk: Blunt, hard & rough (8:14) - Aborigine Culture: Superstitious & full of surprises (14:30) - Personal Observations/Takeaways (16:47) - Summary (17:22) - Aussie Slang Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E112 · Tue, June 29, 2021
Lost Horizon (James Hilton) - Book Review
Have you ever wondered why you have heard of the mythical place of Shangri-La? 'Lost Horizon' by James Hilton is a utopian (although arguably dystopian) fictional adventure of 4 Westerners captured and held against their will. They remain in limbo in the Lamasery of Shangri-La high up in the unexplored mountaintops of Tibet. Although on the surface it seems to be an almost ideal existence there is a suspicious secret that adds a dark side to the tale. There are many themes to explore in the book including (but not limited to): the ideal man/character, disillusionment, East vs West mentality and what happens as we grow old. I summarised the book as follows. "This is easily the best book I have read in a while! Immersed is not a word strong enough to articulate just how deeply I enjoyed this, it really ticked off all my interest boxes. This is highly subjective as it's not a standout for it's prose or style, it's just my type of book. Wisdom & philosophy in the shell of a fun story." As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! If you would like to support the channel, you can grab yourself a copy of the book here! https://amzn.to/3zsoqry Timeline: (0:00) - Intro & Synopsis (3:57) - The Ideal Man: Unflappable, stoic and English! (7:36) - Disillusionment: The loss of the utopic (11:50) - Personal Observations/Takeaways (13:32) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E114 · Mon, June 28, 2021
What I Read In June | Book Recap
Hey yo Mere Mortalites! I'm creating a new series that's an overview of all the books I published a book review of in the previous month. I'm also including some dishonourable mentions (books I started reading but subsequently dropped) and extra notes that I didn't include in the actual book reviews. A list of the books I read can be found in the timestamps below. As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro to the new recap (3:14) - Lost Horizon by James Hilton (6:28) - The Essential Chuang Tzu by Chuang Tzu (8:37) - The Old Man & The Sea by Ernest Hemingway (12:32) - The Story Of A Shipwrecked Sailor by Gabriel García Márquez (14:08) - River Out Of Eden by Richard Dawkins (14:22) - Bringing Home The Dharma by Jack Kornfield (15:42) - Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind by Shunryu Suzuki (17:21) - A Farewell To Arms by Ernest Hemingway (20:08) - Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu (21:39) - Dishonourable mentions (29:49) - What's coming in July Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E111 · Fri, June 25, 2021
Tao Te Ching (Lao Tzu) - Book Review
How much difference can there be from two translations of the same work? 'Tao Te Ching' by Lao Tzu is the most influential and well known of the Taoist texts. Traditionally it was thought to be written by a single man named Lao Tzu, although modern day scholars believe it was more likely an amalgamation from multiple sources. It contains 81 verses of varying length and is primarily musings/sayings for contemplation and philosophical purposes. There are multiple translations of this work and your reading of it will depend on if you choose one that is more artistic or more scholarly. I summarised the book as follows. "The Tao Te Ching is a philosophy for a certain person at a certain stage in their life. I think it's good for adding to your own personal philosophy or maxims, as it's definitely not something to find practical/actionable advice. It basically advocates a calm, humble mindset and I found Wu Wei to be a useful concept. I also would recommend reading it with two translations (particularly if one is more scholarly and the other more artistic) as this will give you an enhanced perspective of Taoism." As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro & Synopsis (4:00) - Wu Wei: Effortless action (7:16) - The Translations: Scholarly vs artistic (11:18) - Takeaways & Favourite Verses (15:16) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E110 · Tue, June 22, 2021
The Old Man And The Sea (Ernest Hemingway) - Book Review
"If a man was ever capable of making sweet love to the sea, this is the romantic story he would write." 'The Old Man And The Sea' by Ernest Hemingway is a quite short novella of an old man (Santiago) and his relationship to the sea. Set in the Gulf of Mexico, it tells of his pitched battle with the biggest catch of his life and his eventual tainted victory. The book explores the way that humans connect with nature and why respect plays an important part in wisdom and old age. I summarised the book as follows. "It's a wonderful story deserving of praise. Just because something is simple or short doesn't mean that it lacks in depth. I'm not particularly partial to the sea or fishing but I can appreciate the ability of a great author to be succinct and make uninteresting topics fascinating. Well worth a read!" As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro & Synopsis (3:32) - The Sea: Loving femininity or combative masculinity? (5:47) - Old Age: The giving & receiving of respect (8:42) - Personal Observations/Takeaways (11:11) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E109 · Fri, June 18, 2021
River Out Of Eden (Richard Dawkins) - Book Review
"Never were so many facts explained by so few assumptions." 'River Out Of Eden' by Richard Dawkins is a simplified explanation of Darwinian evolutionary theory. It contains 5 sections, all of which provide arguments for why natural selection is true and debunking those of creationists. These arguments are based on the science of DNA (ATCG base pairs), experiments/studies on animals (why bees dance for example), theories about replication/mutation and the utility function that results in a 50/50 gender split across most animal species. I summarised the book as follows. "It's a Richard Dawkins book so you know what to expect, evolution evolution and more evolution! He goes over the basic principles of evolution as well as some common pitfalls of its explanatory powers. It's not too difficult to understand, but I wouldn't say it is particularly easy either. Personally I prefer 'The Selfish Gene' but found this a nice short summary as well." As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro & Synopsis (3:34) - Evolution: To answer why why why (6:20) - Personal Observations/Takeaways (8:02) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E108 · Tue, June 15, 2021
The Story Of A Shipwrecked Sailor (Gabriel García Márquez) - Book Review
What goes through your head when you experience the deepest isolation possible? 'The Story Of A Shipwrecked Sailor' by Gabriel García Márquez is a small book and really the title says it all. It's a true story that occurred when Gabo was a journalist in Bogotá and got the chance to interview Luis Alejandro Velasco. He was the sole survivor of a shipwreck and endured 10 days adrift at sea without having any food to eat or water to drink. Some of the themes from the book are about isolation from all human contact and the crushing impact of boredom. I summarised the book as follows. "It's a simple tale of endurance. It reminds me of 'Life of Pi' but without the philosophy and magical hallucinations of Pi. It's not dramatic (which is probably quite accurate) but I wonder what thoughts & feelings were left out of the story. I would recommend this for those who want a linear dispassionate account of a shipwreck and the extra historical backstory of the author, survivor and Columbian government." As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro & Synopsis (5:17) - Isolation: An introverts holiday (7:37) - Boredom: The desire for something else (9:24) - Personal Observations/Takeaways (12:02) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E107 · Fri, June 11, 2021
A Farewell To Arms (Ernest Hemingway) - Book Review
Is it worse to die an ignoble death at the hands of your enemy, or those of your 'supposed' friends? 'A Farewell To Arms' by Ernest Hemingway is one of the novels that emerged from WWI. It is the main American book as they joined the war relatively late in comparison to many of the other countries. It is a fictional story that tells of the ambulance driver Frederic Henry as he helps on the front line in Italy. He falls in love with a nurse named Catherine Barkley and eventually becomes disillusioned by the whole premise of the war. Stylistically it is notable for the hollow and somewhat clipped narration of events and conversations. I summarised the book as follows. "I found this story to be detached, anti-war and ultimately uneventful. After reading it I came out as apathetic as the Tenente. Stylistically it might have merit for being new but I found the conversations quite off-putting, although the actual story was ok. I feel the were better books from people who spent more time in the war, such as 'All Quiet On The Western Front' or 'Storm of Steel'." As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro & Synopsis (3:00) - A Noble Death: Possible or not? (5:34) - Apathy: Where does it come from? (7:02) - Personal Observations/Takeaways (8:48) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E106 · Tue, June 08, 2021
Bringing Home The Dharma (Jack Kornfield) - Book Review
There's a right way and a wrong way to create a compilation book ..... this is the right way. 'Bringing Home The Dharma' by Jack Kornfield is a basic introduction to Buddhism and it's core tenets. It is constructed from Jack's writing taken from essays, publications and other books. Within you'll find Zen quotes, personal anecdotes, stories involving his students and practical advice. There is a strong theoretical component focusing on the teachings/truth of the Dharma and a practical component focusing on the many types of meditation. I summarised the book as follows. "This is probably my favourite of the Buddhism books I have read up to now due to it's depth and profundity. There are many concepts so I wouldn't call it a completely beginner book but is still basic enough to grasp. It highlights the core aspects of concentration, awareness and mindfulness while not being dogmatic or one-sided. Most likely I will come back to give this a re-read at some point in the future." As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro & Synopsis (2:57) - Dharma: Teachings and truth (6:38) - Meditation: The tool of many purposes (9:22) - Personal Observations/Takeaways (10:50) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E105 · Fri, June 04, 2021
Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind (Shunryu Suzuki) - Book Review
"In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert's there are few." 'Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind' by Shunryu Suzuki is a musing on Zen Buddhism, enlightenment and meditation practice. Suzuki Roshi was a populariser of Zen in America and many regard this as one of the finest books on the topic. The core themes centre on the spiritual attainment of Buddha nature and the philosophy behind the practice of Zazen. I summarised the book as follows. "It's a succinct, simple & simultaneously confusing read. It explains the central essence of Zen without all the tradition or religiosity. There are some practical tips for meditation (Zazen) but is more heavy on the spirituality and grand concept of embodied enlightenment that Zen tries to convey. Personally I felt it became a bit repetitive at times and would also say that this book is NOT for everyone, better to have read it with some grounding in Buddhism or the other eastern religions." As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro & Synopsis (2:24) - Buddha Nature: The already attained enlightenment within all (4:43) - Zazen: The practice of non-practice (7:29) - Personal Observations/Takeaways (10:34) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E104 · Tue, June 01, 2021
The Essential Chuang Tzu (Chuang Tzu) - Book Review
He who knows does not speak, he who speaks does not know. 'The Essential Chuang Tzu' by Chuang Tzu is a 3rd century BCE collection of fables, teachings and stories predominantly about Tao & Taoism. It is a mix of fiction, fact and mythology that includes historical figures such as Confucius and Lao Tzu. It is known as one of the great works of eastern philosophy that contains the seeds of Zen/Buddhism and explains how enlightenment is actually just 'the way'. I summarised the book as follows. "It's a fun work of philosophy but still requires concentration to find the wisdom. It touches upon a serious topic of spiritual importance but does it through humorous anecdotes and with a playful nature. Of all the spiritual books I've read so far this would be my favourite. I'd recommend it for someone wanting eastern philosophy with less paradox then Zen and less religiosity then Buddhism." As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro & Synopsis (3:28) - Tao: Accepting what simply 'is' (7:46) - Personal Observations/Takeaways (13:17) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E103 · Fri, May 28, 2021
Beyond Order (Jordan B. Peterson) - Book Review
'Beyond Order' by Jordan B. Peterson is the highly anticipated sequel to 12 RULES FOR LIFE (go check out that review as well in our channel), which has sold over 5 million copies around the world. I summarised the book as follows. "Beyond Order calls on us to balance the two fundamental principles of reality - order and chaos - and reveals the profound meaning that can be found on the path that divides them." As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Juan out! Timeline: (0:00) - Introduction (2:58) - Synopsis (4:40) - Key Themes (6:30) - Personal Observations/Takeaways (11:09) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E102 · Tue, May 25, 2021
The Aeneid (Virgil) - Book Review
Sharpen your sword & ready your chariot, we're in for an epic adventure! 'The Aeneid' by Virgil is an epic poem that follows Aeneas and his fellow Trojans as they cross 3 continents trying to establish a new home. It contains all that you would expect from this era; seductive princesses, wrathful Gods, strange monsters and grand battles. The main themes that arise from the tale are obligation/dutiful respect and whether fate allows any room for free will. I summarised the book as follows. "This poem is the best of both worlds. The first half contains a seafaring adventure similar to The Odyssey and the second half is of warring armies reminiscent of The Iliad. Perfect for anybody who loves mythology and actually will impart useful knowledge of history &/or geography. Easily my favourite of these three epics due to the character of Aeneas and the two part split." As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro & Synopsis (5:15) - Pietas: Obligation & dutiful respect (7:41) - Fate: Is there any room for free will? (10:37) - Personal Observations/Takeaways (13:09) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E101 · Fri, May 21, 2021
Not Born Yesterday (Hugo Mercier) - Book Review
Would you believe that I'm a shape-shifting lizard who thinks that the Earth is flat? 'Not Born Yesterday' by Hugo Mercier is an argument against the perceived notion that humans are gullible. In the age of fake news, false rumours and conspiracies it is easy to think that we are too credulous. However, Mercier argues that we have developed open vigilance mechanisms which allow us to sort out the incoming communication from other people to let us know who to trust and what to believe. I summarised the book as follows. "It's definitely an 'intellectual' book that requires a lot of prior knowledge of evolutionary science, game theory and behavioural economics. It brought up some original ideas but there may be some dubious studies that were used to support his thesis. The general argument makes sense to me and there are a couple of useful takeaways but it won't revolutionise my thinking." As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro & Synopsis (2:54) - Open Vigilance Mechanisms: Accepting the beneficial, rejecting the harmful (9:07) - Trust & Belief: Who to trust & what to believe? (13:54) - Personal Observations/Takeaways (16:59) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E100 · Tue, May 18, 2021
The Noonday Demon (Andrew Solomon) - Book Review
If you want to know more about depression from a physiological, scientific or personal viewpoint, then look no further. 'The Noonday Demon' by Andrew Solomon is part memoir/part tome centred all around the topic of depression. The book contains 12 chapters and is very thick, clocking in at 445 pages of the main text. It has a lot of objective facts related to suicide, treatment, addiction, poverty and history mixed with subjective stories and notes about breakdowns, sad tales, hope for the future and the causes/evolution as seen through the lens of history. I summarised the book as follows. "This is a moving and dense read. It is sort of like the Wikipedia article (in terms of summarising the science) but dives much deeper and with a subjective narrative included. It will give you all the information about depression and you'll probably come away well informed but uncertain about the topic as a whole due to its complexity. Worth reading for the stories even if the science parts become outdated in the future." As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro & Synopsis (8:10) - Objective Facts (19:25) - Subjective Stories & Notes (27:15) - Personal Observations/Takeaways (30:49) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E99 · Fri, May 14, 2021
Around The Day In Eighty Worlds (Julio Cortázar) - Book Review
There are some works that seem to be more than just a book, but something entirely strange and new. 'Around The Day In Eighty Worlds' by Julio Cortázar is a collection of stories, poetry, observations, history, biography, recommendations and much more. He mostly speaks of art, writing and his personal influences but doesn't try to say anything explicitly. The book itself contains plenty of photos/sketches/drawings and was originally written in Spanish but contains smatterings of French & English. I summarised the book as follows. "It's strange, it's weird and it's not for me. I read this book in the original Spanish version and had difficulty in understanding due to not only the amount of Argentinian slang but also the rapid changes between stories and languages. To really appreciate the book I believe the reader will need to have an extensive knowledge of jazz, France and foreign authors as Cortázar brings up these topics constantly. Was a useful book and I personally didn't enjoy it but have hopes that I will enjoy some of his other works such as 'Rayuela'." As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro & Synopsis (1:46) - Who is Julio Cortázar? (3:04) - Art & Style: Playthings of a cronopio (6:23) - Personal Observations (8:38) - Summary (10:06) - Rayuela Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E98 · Tue, May 11, 2021
The Grapes Of Wrath (John Steinbeck) - Book Review
Want a book that can entertain you, tear you up and make you think deeply all at the same time? 'The Grapes Of Wrath' by John Steinbeck is one the classic works of the 20th century. It describes the migration of the fictional Joad family during the Dust Bowl era as they seek a better future in California. Unfortunately their tale is one of woe and suffering. They face intense discrimination, a dearth of jobs and abject poverty in their quest. The underlying rage and frustration seeps out through this book, which won the Pulitzer Prize and was a primary reason for the Steinbeck's winning of the Nobel Prize for Literature. I summarised the book as follows. "This book really hits home hard. It is entertaining, emotive and impactful all in one fell swoop. Steinbeck creates complex characters that aren't tropes within this huge historical context of mass migration and movement of time, space and lives. Truly deserving of high praise and was duly recognised during its own time and even to this day. Superb in every way." As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro & Synopsis (3:37) - Poverty & Suffering: The linked chains of despair (7:47) - Discrimination: Unjustified distinctions on 'whatever' (10:15) - Personal Observations (13:08) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E97 · Fri, May 07, 2021
On Writing (Stephen King) - Book Review
What does one of the most successful writers of all time have to say about perfecting the craft? 'On Writing' by Stephen King is part memoir/part advice of what he has learned from 52 years of living. The memoir focuses mostly upon his early childhood leading up to the publication of his first book 'Carrie', as well as his near death experience in the writing of this book. His advice reflects his humorous personality and contains some very direct tips (keep it short/minimise adverbs/read & write lots!) and indirect musings (tell the truth/story above all else/care about the language). I summarised the book as follows. "This book didn't bore me, and that is not an insult at all. I am not particularly interested in the writing process or King's style of books but found myself fully engaged with his reflections and ashamed that I have only read one of his books. Reading this book makes you want to be a writer. Would recommend for aspiring writers (obviously) but also for anyone who has a love for language." As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro & Synopsis (1:37) - Memoir & Accident (3:48) - On Writing (6:45) - Personal Observations (8:35) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E96 · Tue, May 04, 2021
Treasure Island (Robert Louis Stevenson) - Book Review
This time around, I got to indulge myself by reading 'Treasure Island' by Robert Louis Stevenson. Treasure Island, originally named The Sea Cook: A Story for Boys, is an adventure novel by Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson, narrating a tale of "buccaneers, buried gold, pirates and mutiny." If you would like to support our channel and grab the book as well, find our amazon link below:https://amzn.to/3w3utjB As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Juan out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro & Synopsis (1:25) - Robert Louis Stevenson (2:00) - What is Treasure Island (5:30) - Themes of the book (11:00) - Personal Observations (12:30) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E95 · Fri, April 30, 2021
Crome Yellow (Aldous Huxley) - Book Review
Did you know that the seeds of 'Brave New World' were coming through in the authors head at least a decade before it was published? 'Crome Yellow' by Aldous Huxley is a satirical novel poking fun of the English 'gentry' and their associates. It is set in Crome Manor in the green heart of England and is told from a 3rd person omniscient narrator. The book is silly in its presentation of the eccentric characters but ironically contains some deep themes despite the comical façade. I summarised the book as follows. "There is absolutely no plot to speak of so the book relies on its wonderful characters to act as the driving force. They are totally outlandish but also entirely believable at the same time. It's mildly thought provoking in places but is definitely a light short read. Worth checking out if you want to see the origins of Huxley's more famous book 'Brave New World'." As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro & Synopsis (2:45) - Satire: Not necessarily always mean-spirited (4:27) - Irony: Not always humorous (7:49) - Personal Observations (8:09) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E94 · Tue, April 27, 2021
The Bell Jar (Sylvia Plath) - Book Review
What is it like to be in a place so dark that you see no possibility of escape? 'The Bell Jar' by Sylvia Plath is a semi-autographical novel published in 1963 just before her death by suicide. It tells the tale of *Esther Greenwood (aka Sylvia) and her struggles with mental health that eventually lead to her being institutionalised. Exposed in this book are how depression was treated before the time of readily available antidepressants as well as how expectations (both externally from society and internally from ourselves) can damage us and lead to a breakdown. I summarised the book as follows. "There's no way around it, this is a depressing book. It details the descent of a typical happy young girls into hopelessness and madness. It's an expose of what a truly dark place looks/feels like but is certainly not pleasant to read about. What makes this story so sad is that it almost seems like Sylvia wrote this book as a form of self-therapy, a light at the end of the tunnel, which unfortunately she never got to see." As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro & Synopsis (2:44) - Depression: Trapped under the bell jar (4:48) - Expectations: The belief of what 'should' happen (7:10) - Personal Observations (9:29) - Summary *P.S. Just realised the main character is Esther Greenwood not Esthel Rosenberg (confused her name with a real life person mentioned in the book). Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E93 · Fri, April 23, 2021
False Alarm (Bjorn Lomborg) - Book Review
Are we headed for imminent extinction due to climate change or is it all just a false alarm? 'False Alarm' by Bjorn Lomborg is a book designed to dampen the fear and hyperbole surrounding the methods of dealing with a changing environment. The book has 5 sections addressing why alarmism is wrong, what the full story says, how NOT to fix the problem, 3-4 simple workable solutions and a final conclusion with notes supporting his interpretation. I summarised the book as follows. "I'm a fan of the call to use more rationality and to proceed with moderate action in non-emergency situations. I found the book compelling and easy to understand, much more so than 'Cool It' by the same author. He was reasonable in his presentation of science/facts and wasn't focused on attacking the 'other side' of the debate, simply just trying to make the world a better place." As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro & Synopsis (2:56) - Alarmism: Fear makes us do stupid things (4:51) - Climate Change: Effective and ineffective solutions (10:14) - Personal Observations (12:23) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E92 · Tue, April 20, 2021
Selected Poems (John Keats) - Book Review
Why is John Keats regarded as one of the finest poets to ever live? 'Selected Poems' by John Keats is a collection of 50 poems written by the English poet. Keats had a pretty rough life as he was an orphan by the age of 15 and himself died at age 25. He is known as a Romanticism poet with the central themes of his poems being around art, beauty, youth, love, mythology and the opposite spectrum of death, sorrow, heartbreak and suffering. I summarised the book as follows. "I surprisingly quite enjoyed these poems as I always struggled with poetry during high school. It is everything one would imagine from a Romantic poet, high grandiose states of exaltation followed by abject misery and depression. I wasn't particularly swept away with emotion myself but did gain a greater appreciation for the art of poetry. Would definitely recommend others to read them poems out loud and to read them in multiple sittings to get the full ambience of the mood." As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro & Synopsis (1:21) - Style (3:07) - Personal Observations (4:44) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E91 · Fri, April 16, 2021
Ruined City (Nevil Shute) - Book Review
Is it worth throwing away your good reputation to help those in need? 'Ruined City' by Nevil Shute is a fictional story of a rich banker (Henry Warren) who sets out to save the destitute town of Sharples. The book is set in 1930's England during the Great Depression and is a story of finding purpose when all meaning is lost. The themes of the book reflect upon what happens to people when they experience real hardship as well as how reputation can actually be used as a transactional tool. I summarised the book as follows. "It's an uplifting story about one man becoming a hero. The era it describes is dark, dreary and quite sad, but the narration of the main character is rather unemotional (fitting in with his general disposition). I felt the whole story was a bit bland and was sort of like the fantasy of an unimaginative banker. Overall, I probably won't remember this book in 10 years time as nothing really made it pop." As always, we hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Mere Mortals out! Timeline: (0:00) - Introduction (0:10) - Synopsis (2:16) - The Great Depression: Real hard times (4:33) - Reputation: Opinions that are context dependent (6:48) - Personal Observations (8:03) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E89 · Tue, April 13, 2021
Meditations On Living, Dying And Loss (Assorted) - Book Review
What do Buddhists believe actually believe what happens when we are reincarnated? 'Meditations On Living, Dying And Loss' by an assorted collection of people including Graham Coleman, Gyurme Dorje, Thupten Jinpa (my man!!!) & the Dalai Lama. It is an examination of some select sections from the larger work of 'The Tibetan Book Of The Dead'. It begins with a bit of history & multiple intros from the editors & Dalai Lama. It's a short book with each section attempting to provide insight on the Buddhist philosophy of reincarnation and how to deal with the death of loved ones. I summarised the book as follows. "I found this eminently forgettable as a whole. Most of the prefaces were useful but on their own the passages of text are unclear and vague. There was a lot of repetition and I think it might require the whole framework of the religion (chants, clothing, incense, culture, buildings, etc.,) to really make sense." As always, we hope you enjoy, Mere Mortals out! Timeline: (0:00) - Synopsis (3:12) - The Big Picture: Why Buddhism is true (4:12) - The Small Details: Why Buddhism (probably) isn't true (7:24) - Personal Observations (8:28) - Summary (9:35) - Pragmatic Takeaway: Prepare myself for some potentially boring reading Connect with Mere Mortals: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E88 · Fri, April 09, 2021
Sweet Thursday (John Steinbeck) - Book Review
Looking for a non-serious book by a serious author? 'Sweet Thursday' by John Steinbeck is a fictional story set in Cannery Row, Monterey, California. It contains a humorous set of characters with the main plot to help the Doc from his listless depression. There are prostitutes with elegant table manners, a sneaky Mexican who is a natural lawbreaker, kind hearted buffoons and a skint millionaire. The themes of the book delve into the strange relationships that can be formed between people as well as manipulating someone in the attempt to help them. I summarised the book as follows. "It's a fun, zany tale of caring but foolish oddballs. It had me laughing throughout at the absolute mayhem of their schemes. The only downside is that I could have easily handled another 50 pages in the middle of the book. The ending as well was a bit 'meh', and only wish it could have been a bit more climactic. It is similar to the enjoyment I got while reading 'Cat's Cradle' by Kurt Vonnegut." As always, we hope you enjoy, Mere Mortals out! Timeline: (0:00) - Synopsis (1:48) - Relationships: Improbable and shouldn't work, but they do (3:40) - Manipulation: Control/influence in a skilful manner (6:12) - Personal Observations (8:04) - Summary (9:13) - Pragmatic Takeaway: Life is too short not to read funny books Connect with Mere Mortals: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E87 · Tue, April 06, 2021
Start With Why (Simon Sinek) - Book Review
What is your purpose/cause/belief & are you starting with your WHY? 'Start With Why' by Simon Sinek is a book about leadership/business but it can be used by an individual to help better themselves and bring more clarity to their own life. He explains the difference between successful, long-standing, impactful companies/organisations in a qualitative way. The main themes of the book are his introduction to the Golden Circle of WHY/HOW/WHAT and ensuring that these are implemented in the correct order. I summarised the book as follows. "It initially comes across as the generic 'inspiring' self-help book, but I became more absorbed into his philosophy the longer I read on. It could be a fluke I felt this way or it could be a demonstration of Simon's own WHY in action. It can be a tad confusing with all the WHY's, HOW's & WHAT's but I found it tremendously insightful. I quite enjoyed it but am going to give it a while longer to sink in to see if I am still as impressed with it once the initial motivational kick has worn off." I hope you are having a fantastic day wherever you are in the world, Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Synopsis (2:15) - The Golden Circle: WHY, HOW & WHAT (5:45) - Emphasis: Starting with what is important (8:07) - Personal Observations (9:43) - Summary (11:39) - Pragmatic Takeaway: Implement the Golden Circle into my life Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E90 · Mon, April 05, 2021
12 Rules For Life (Jordan B. Peterson) - Book Review
Remember to pet a cat that is meaningful while skateboarding with your shoulders back straight, did I get that right? '12 Rules For Life' by Jordan B. Peterson is an eclectic mix of his personal anecdotes as well as the accounts of his academic work. It's a little bit of self-help but also has a strong emphasis on the stories and archetypes that are found in mythology. The book is split up into 12 chapters of his 'rules', which were originally based upon a post he made on Quora. If you would like to support our podcast and grab the book as well the following link will serve you well: https://amzn.to/3xrlNoK As always, we hope you enjoy, Mere Mortals out! Timeline: (0:00) - Synopsis (3:15) - The Rules (11:15) - Takeaways (16:05) - Pragmatic Takeaway: Stop telling lies (17:40) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E86 · Fri, April 02, 2021
The Death Of Artemio Cruz (Carlos Fuentes) - Book Review
Have you read any Mexican literature lately and would you be surprised if it is about death? 'The Death Of Artemio Cruz' by Carlos Fuentes is the most notable work of the author during the Latin American Boom period. It is an interweaving of Artemio's deathbed and flashback scenes from his long life in Mexico and abroad. These include his multiple personas as a corrupt politician, lieutenant, lover, orphan, sugar daddy and father. The themes of the book examine the ignominy of a slow death and judging if someone is their present, past or future. I summarised the book as follows. "It's a toss and tumble book that is all over the place, but in a calculated and precise form. It contains the heart of Mexico in its core, particularly that of death, rebellion and corruption. I personally struggled to connect with Artemio or really anyone in his close circle, I found them all a bit shallow and repulsive. Reading the book in Spanish was more difficult than I expected due to the Chilango (Mexican slang) and the quick switching back and forth between the present and past." As always, we hope you enjoy, Mere Mortals out! Timeline: (0:00) - Synopsis (2:11) - Death: An inglorious decay (5:02) - The Soul: Who is Artemio Cruz? (8:00) - Personal Observations (10:02) - Summary (12:21) - Pragmatic Takeaway: More thoughts on judging and criticising Connect with Mere Mortals: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E85 · Tue, March 30, 2021
Ethics Into Action (Peter Singer) - Book Review
Reflecting on his time as an animal activist, Henry Spira wanted his epitaph to read "he pushed the peanut forward". 'Ethics Into Action' by Peter Singer is a biography of the life of Henry Spira. Spira lived from 1927-1998 and played a large part in the animal liberation movement that erupted towards the end of the 20th century. He achieved some significant changes through his activism; helping to stop cruel fertility experimentation on cats, cosmetic testing on rabbits and unnecessary pain/death of farm animals. The main themes of the book explore how to identify an ethical problem that can be fixed and then go about enacting the solution in reality. I summarised the book as follows. "Henry Spira is probably one of the only people I have come across in calling someone an unsung hero. This book lays open the hard work of a remarkable man who made a huge difference to the lives of many animals. It's not a book for sorting our your ethics but once already establish, how you can implement them into action. I would definitely recommend it to all activists who actually want to make a change in the world, rather than just 'raise awareness'." As always, we hope you enjoy, Mere Mortals out! Timeline: (0:00) - Synopsis (2:54) - The Problem: A mix of ethics & reality (4:54) - Action: Will it work? (9:12) - Personal Observations (13:02) - Summary (14:54) - Pragmatic Takeaway: The small individual steps count. Do more! Connect with Mere Mortals: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E84 · Fri, March 26, 2021
Blitzed (Norman Ohler) - Book Review
Did you know of the drug use of methamphetamines and cocaine in the Nazi regime? 'Blitzed' by Norman Ohler (a novelist turned semi-historian & back again) argues that drug use was rampant in the German military of the 1940's as well as in the highest command (amongst Hitler and his direct subordinates). Ohler interprets historical events by focusing on the personal physician of Hitler, a man named Dr Theodor Morell, and his administration of opiates and meth to the Führer from 1941-1945. I summarised the book as follows. "It's a super book that obviously contains a large amount of research. It might have been slightly sensational but as a whole paints a fair picture of the drug use that was happening during the Nazi regime. It adds a whole other perspective about the Wehrmacht and the state of Adolf Hitler during his final years. I would recommend to read some drier history books first to get a grasp of the 100% historical facts before reading this book as it does take some liberties and dramatizations of certain scenes." As always, we hope you enjoy, Mere Mortals out! Timeline: (0:00) - Synopsis (2:29) - Meth: One hell of a drug (5:50) - Interpreting History: The unwinnable battle (8:30) - Personal Observations (10:49) - Summary (12:47) - Pragmatic Takeaway: I'm going to try Meth! Connect with Mere Mortals: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E83 · Tue, March 23, 2021
Anything You Want (Derek Sivers) - Book Review
How can you grow a huge company while simultaneously trying to keep it as small as possible? 'Anything You Want' by Derek Sivers explains this paradox while reflecting on his time running CD Baby (an online music store). It's a mini memoir of sorts, a condensation of 10 years of entrepreneurship into 40 lessons. He details the whole process of starting, growing, delegating, managing and finally selling a company. The core themes that emerge are about establishing a compass (knowing what you want) and actually executing your ideas (getting what you want). I summarised the book as follows. "Wisdom can indeed come in bite sized pieces as each lesson is one or two pages long & the book can be read in less than an hour. Derek's personality shone through the book, which is also reflective of his business philosophy. I found it refreshing to hear the thoughts of someone who didn't get swept away by the superficial bullshit and followed his values/ethics to the end." As always, we hope you enjoy, Mere Mortals out! Timeline: (0:00) - Synopsis (1:58) - Your Compass: Knowing what you want (3:33) - Execution: Getting what you want (5:33) - Personal Observations (8:23) - Summary (10:21) - Pragmatic Takeaway: Allow myself to put in more Easter Eggs Connect with Mere Mortals: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E82 · Fri, March 19, 2021
More From Less (Andrew McAfee) - Book Review
Did you know we are past 'peak stuff' and are now using less resources while still having increasing prosperity? 'More From Less' by Andrew McAfee is essentially a book about how technology is changing the world. It's an optimistic outlook of human progress as the data shows we are growing GDP while declining in the amount of resources required to produce products. Andrew believes this is primarily due to the 4 Horsemen of The Optimist: technology & capitalism supported by good governance and public awareness. There are many counterintuitive findings and graphs showing how dematerialisation is resulting in less resource use. I summarised the book as follows. "I was constantly delighted by Andrew's findings even though I was already aware of most. The book is realistically optimistic and makes you want to play in the game of life. He does highlight where things can go wrong with capitalism and constant innovation so it is not all rosy, there is still work to be done. I would definitely recommend to read this in conjunction with 'The Infinite Game' by Simon Sinek as I think these books compliment each other quite nicely." As always, we hope you enjoy, Mere Mortals out! Timeline:(0:00) - Synopsis(1:24) - Dematerialisation: Regressing from peak stuff(5:32) - Counterintuitive Findings & Nuanced Reasonings(10:39) - Personal Observations(14:33) - Summary(16:14) - Pragmatic Takeaway: Decrease meat consumption a tad more Connect with Mere Mortals:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E81 · Tue, March 16, 2021
On The Road (Jack Kerouac) - Book Review
I just can't wait to get on the road again. 'On The Road' by Jack Kerouac is a classic of American literature and is frequently listed as one of the best books of the 1900's. It is a non-stop adventure that blurs the line between fiction & non-fiction. Sal Paradise (the author) provides a 1st person account as he crosses back and forth across the US with his mad friend Dean Moriarty (Neal Cassady). Kerouac became the voice of the 'Beat Generation' and the frantic energy and madness of travel is truly highlighted within. I summarised the book as follows. "It has a strong start but the longer it went, the more it dragged on. I found myself disliking the main characters and that is a death knell for me. It does do a great job of portraying the frantic energy of a bizarre time and is a snapshot of life in 1950's America. However, I felt it did do an injustice by not highlighting some of the mundane parts of travelling/partying as it really only focused upon the good times." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Synopsis (1:52) - Travel: The ups & downs of energy (4:57) - Madness: An unstoppable force if let loose (8:07) - Personal Observations (10:02) - Summary (11:12) - Pragmatic Takeaway: Don't judge madness as only bad Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E78 · Mon, March 15, 2021
Think Like A Monk (Jay Shetty) - Book Review
Chew your drinks and drink your food! 'Think Like A Monk' by Jay Shetty is his story of transitioning from a career in high finance to becoming an ascetic monk and back again. The book is split up into 3 main sections titled: Let Go, Grow & Give. These explore topics such as removing the ego, letting go of negative emotions, finding purpose and giving back to others once your house is in order. Juan summarised the book as follows. "This book was in my backlog for a while so I was keen to finally get into it. The book isn't about the lifestyle and day to day activities of being a monk but sticks to its title of the actual mindset of monks. What really won me over was the consistency of the little 'try this' sections, those activities designed to slow you down. I found it to be a great read and got benefits from trying out most of the prompts to alter my thinking patterns." To support the team and grab the book - feel free to use the following link! https://amzn.to/3jiXxPJ As always, we hope you enjoy, Mere Mortals out! Timeline: (0:00) - Synopsis (2:00) - What To Expect (7:39) - Key Takeaways (9:40) - Final Thoughts (10:59) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E80 · Fri, March 12, 2021
The Infinite Game (Simon Sinek) - Book Review
Why can chasing profits and short-term business strategies be detrimental to a company? 'The Infinite Game' by Simon Sinek is a book about responsible, ethical, long-term business practices but the thinking can be applied to other areas as well. It contains 11 chapters with mini stories at the start but is more of an expansion of Simon's ideas. The core themes of the book argue for the benefits of a long-term outlook (opposed to short-term cost cutting/boosting of profits/share price increase/etc.,) as well as the criticality of adhering to a 'just cause'. I summarised the book as follows. "There is a driven & clear purpose to Simon's words. He has powerful arguments of the benefits to long-term thinking and spending the time to work out your values (& therefore personal ethics). The book might be slightly utopian in suggesting that the 'Just Cause' is more important than revenue/profit metrics but I found it refreshing as there are already plenty of book out there about how to chase those short-term goals." As always, we hope you enjoy, Mere Mortals out! Timeline:(0:00) - Synopsis(1:42) - Infinite vs Finite Games: Winning without winning(5:11) - Just Cause - Specific vision of a future state(8:12) - Personal Observations(13:28) - Summary(14:33) - Pragmatic Takeaway: Start thinking about ethical investing Connect with Mere Mortals:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E79 · Tue, March 09, 2021
An Introduction To Buddhism (The Dalai Lama) - Book Review
Find within a key insight into why Buddhist's believe in reincarnation. 'An Introduction To Buddhism' by The Dalai Lama is not a specially written book but a polished transcript of a presentation he gave to a western audience. The book is split into 3 parts. The first is his teaching on the 4 Noble Truths, the second his commentary on 'The 8 Verses On Training The Mind' & the third his deconstruction of Atisha's 'Lamp For The Path To Enlightenment'. I summarised the book as follows. "It's introductory but at times still felt like I needed an even more basic version. The Dalai Lama explains some of the core concepts but not in a structured way. It is easy to tell that this is a modified speech and wasn't crafted with precision. I did gain a couple of insights into the beliefs and rationality behind Buddhism, but felt lucky to acquire them as the book's writing style did not make it easy!" As always, we hope you enjoy, Mere Mortals out! Timeline:(0:00) - Synopsis(1:50) - Dependent Origination & The Law Of Causality(6:26) - Guidelines: A hill to fight on(8:26) - Personal Observations(10:28) - Summary(11:56) - Pragmatic Takeaway: Light hearted views held strongly! Connect with Mere Mortals:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E77 · Fri, March 05, 2021
David & Goliath (Malcolm Gladwell) - Book Review
If you are up against a powerful opponent/system, maybe your perceived weakness are actually your strengths? 'David & Goliath' by Malcolm Gladwell is a collection of 9 core stories showing how an underdog beat the odds to win. The book is split into 3 parts: the advantages of disadvantages (& vice versa), the theory of desirable difficulty and the limits of power. The main themes investigate how our preconceptions can be limiting our potential and what sort of mindset is required to compete against seemingly impossible odds. I summarised the book as follows. "Malcolm Gladwell's books are engaging if you have yet to read his style but this for me lacked a real direction. He points out mistakes that some people have made in their journey but I couldn't detect how this connected to being an underdog. I wasn't bored while reading this book but it wasn't mind blowing so I probably won't remember this in a couple of years time." As always, we hope you enjoy, Mere Mortals out! Timeline:(0:00) - Synopsis(2:44) - Preconceptions: ideas formed without enough information(5:44) - Underdogs: Is it ever better to be the overdog?(9:35) - Personal Observations(13:56) - Summary(15:24) - Pragmatic Takeaway: Stay clear of 'stories' books Connect with Mere Mortals:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E76 · Tue, March 02, 2021
The Madness Of Crowds (Douglas Murray) - Book Review
Can you actually reason with madness? 'The Madness Of Crowds' by Douglas Murray is an extension of his own fight in the cultural wars as a journalist and political commentator. The book is split into 4 parts each of about 50-60 pages long on Gay/Women/Race/Trans. It highlights the modern absurdities of far left thinking, the historical treatment of minority groups and the implications of getting this all wrong. I summarised the book as follows. "It is smoothly written considering the density of topics and does not feel like a bludgeoning of information/stories. The shocking absurdities are told in a humorous style and is a superb analysis of the current times. It's a book of idea landmines and Douglas is running through full pelt with clown shoes on. A brave soul indeed!" As always, we hope you enjoy, Mere Mortals out! Timeline:(0:00) - Synopsis(2:56) - Madness: Extremely foolish behaviour/state of wild, chaotic activity(6:21) - The Cultural War: Choose your battles wisely(9:49) - Personal Observations(15:47) - Summary(16:58) - Pragmatic Takeaway: Read 'Conundrum' by Jan Morris Connect with Mere Mortals:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E75 · Fri, February 26, 2021
Three Steps To Awakening (Larry Rosenberg With Laura Zimmerman) - Book Review
Want an unhelpful book about how to meditate, then look no further! 'Three Steps To Awakening' by Larry Rosenberg (with Laura Zimmerman) is a collection of his audible teachings condensed into a short book. In it he differentiates 'awareness' into the practicing part (actual meditation practice) and into the everyday living part. The book is split into three main sections on how to meditate: whole body breath awareness, breath-as-anchor and choiceless awareness. I summarised the book as follows. "It's a short book that I wouldn't describe as neither beginner nor advanced. It comes across as very scattered and lacked a real structure. It was composed from his audible teachings and this tends to result in a book that is sub-standard when compared to those which are expressly written for the purpose of reading. The only saving grace is the Q&A sections, which actually are somewhat helpful." As always, we hope you enjoy, Mere Mortals out! Timeline:(0:00) - Synopsis(2:02) - The Three Steps(4:29) - Personal Observations(5:43) - Summary(8:20) - Pragmatic Takeaway: Go to the better source! Connect with Mere Mortals:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E74 · Tue, February 23, 2021
Letters From A Stoic (Seneca) - Book Review
Why did Seneca consider the learning and pursuit of 'philosophy' as the most important thing that a person could do? 'Letters From A Stoic' by Seneca are a collection of 124 letters (although this version only contains 40) he sent to his friend Lucilius in the last years of his life. He provides guidance on how to think about mental pitfalls, illness, death and vices but also on nobler topics of pleasure, friendship and serenity. I summarised the book as follows. "The Penguin Classic version by Robin Campbell is an easy to read translation in modern language. It contains gems of wisdom but for me was not as genuine as other Stoic works, such as 'Meditations' by Marcus Aurelius. He simultaneously shows the knowledge gained from age, as well as the grumpiness! Plenty of helpful advice though on how to contemplate illness and death, particularly in Letters 77 & 78." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Synopsis (2:58) - Philosophy: The most vital pursuit (6:16) - Living A Good Life: The outcome of philosophy (7:51) - Personal Observations (13:08) - Summary (14:32) - Pragmatic Takeaway: Use others quotes but expand upon them Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E73 · Mon, February 22, 2021
Cycles Of The Phoenix (C.A. Nicholas) - Book Review
'Cycles Of The Phoenix' by C.A. Nicholas is his magnum opus symphony and is a collection of stories that he has written over the years. It is quite a thick book and consists of 'Sanity's War', 'Strange' and 'Kaya: Where Have You Gone?'. These stories are mainly fantasy/sci-fi based and follow his characters as they deal with depression in different environments. Juan summarised the book as follows. "This book was extremely descriptive. The way Charlie writes you can tell he takes it up a notch by describing in detail every part of the scene. Whilst the stories have the fantasy element of swords battles, dragons and demons, the main theme is the deep seated anxiety and depression that his characters face." As always, we hope you enjoy, Mere Mortals out! Timeline:(0:00) - Synopsis(2:05) - Charlie's book in his own words(4:45) - Why Juan doesn't normally read fiction(6:08) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E72 · Fri, February 19, 2021
Slaughterhouse-Five (Kurt Vonnegut) - Book Review
Willkommen im Schlachthof fünf! 'Slaughterhouse-Five' by Kurt Vonnegut is a thoroughly bizarre book written in his simple, scattered and non-linear style. We follow the life of Billy Pilgrim, an optometrist, alien abductee, prisoner of war and time-traveller. The book is anti-war and is one of the principal works that discussed the fire-bombing of Dresden by the allies towards the end of World War II. As such the themes of the book centre around the atrocities of war as well as the fatalism of the protagonist. I summarised the book as follows. "It's a book that is non-standard in just about every way possible. It takes an awful topic like the holocaust of Dresden and masks it with humour and a ridiculous philosophy. Personally I found the story a bit too out there for my taste and struggled to find an emotional connection with Billy, the protagonist. However I highly rated 'Cat's Cradle' by the same author so this could just be a personal preference rather than a critique of the author or this book in particular." As always, we hope you enjoy, Mere Mortals out! Timeline:(0:00) - Synopsis(2:24) - Atrocities Of War: No side is guilt free(6:05) - Fatalism: Nihilism without the despair(9:16) - Personal Observations(11:46) - Summary(13:03) - Pragmatic Takeaway: Study German harder and go to Dresden Connect with Mere Mortals:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E71 · Tue, February 16, 2021
Goodbye To All That (Robert Graves) - Book Review
Would you go to war if your country demanded it of you? 'Goodbye To All That' by Robert Graves is commonly cited as one of the best books written about The Great War. It is a memoir written at age 33 of his childhood in English boarding schools, the brutality of the conditions in the trenches during WWI and his post-war life amongst fellow poets/writers. The bulk of the book is focused on his direct experiences at the front resulting in his general pacifist attitude as well as being ostracised by the rabidly patriotic non-combatants back home. I summarised the book as follows. "It's a gritty and raw tale coming from a sensitive poet, an unusual combination. It shows trench warfare in it's horrifying ignominy but then will quickly contrast this with the blandness of not fitting into a normal civilian life. It is about as real as you can get as Graves does not particularly have any allegiance to a particular group and is simply recounting his life as he sees it." As always, we hope you enjoy, Mere Mortals out! Timeline:(0:00) - Synopsis(2:38) - Pacifism: Can there be a just war?(7:48) - Ostracism: How much can one endure?(11:29) - Personal Observations(13:57) - Summary(15:51) - Pragmatic Takeaway: Read more about 'just war' Connect with Mere Mortals:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E70 · Sun, February 14, 2021
Superhuman (Dave Asprey) - Book Review
Is it possible for humans to extend their life span, possible even to reverse aging altogether? 'Superhuman' by Dave Asprey is his explanation of how we can increase our life span and stop the aging process. His approach is scientifically driven and he delves deeply into the research to back up his claims. The main themes of the book are on the Seven Pillars of aging that contribute to our decline and the simple interventions that can be used to stop this process. Juan summarised the book as follows. "It is a goddamn technical book. There was a page or two where he got very specific and detailed that I just had to skip by. A lot of information and takeaways but you have to work for them. The book is well written and Dave himself comes across as a funny and likeable guy, when he is not deep diving into the actual science. I felt like there was plenty of practical and implementable techniques to use for myself." As always, we hope you enjoy, Mere Mortals out! Timeline:(0:00) - Synopsis(1:58) - Structure of the book(4:34) - Heavy on the science(5:51) - Key takeaways(11:55) - Final thoughts Connect with Mere Mortals:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E69 · Sat, February 13, 2021
The Happiest Man On Earth (Eddie Jaku) - Book Review
What circumstances would drive someone to voluntary smuggle themselves back into a concentration camp? 'The Happiest Man On Earth' by Eddie Jaku is the memoir of a man who endured tremendous suffering, managing to survive through the holocaust. The book starts with life before WWII, his subsequent experiences in the concentration camps before moving away from Belgium/Germany and emigrating to Australia. There are some intense and amazing stories from his time in the camps, including his daring escape from Auschwitz and need to return by smuggling himself back in. Juan summarised the book as follows. "I thought I would get quite used to reading those Holocaust books but I didn't with this one. It was a really enjoyable read because of the way it is just so succinctly broken up into the various chapters, it will keep you coming back for more. The perspective that these books provide are what I always gain as a pragmatic takeaway. As Eddie says 'life can be beautiful if you make it beautiful. It is up to you.'" As always, we hope you enjoy, Mere Mortals out! Timeline: (0:00) - Synopsis (1:53) - General Thoughts (4:00) - Smuggling Himself Back Into Auschwitz (6:05) - Key Principles (9:26) - Final Thoughts Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E67 · Sat, February 13, 2021
In Evil Hour (Gabriel García Márquez) - Book Review
What is the strange attraction and repulsion that we have towards violence? 'In Evil Hour' by Gabriel García Márquez is a fictional story set in the same universe as his most famous work of '100 Years of Solitude' but without the magic realism he is famous for. The story starts and ends with a killing, depicting the start of the oppression and the escalation that is to follow. Violence (both overt and subtle) lingers throughout the interactions of the tyrannical mayor as he re-institutes a curfew and control over his town. I summarised the book as follows. "This is one of the first works from García Márquez and for me, not one of his finest. He captures the environment and ambience of the setting but the story and characters lacked a bit of bite. It felt like it needed a more dominant, driving antagonist as the mayor was responding to everything that happened, instead of instigating it like a 'proper' villain would do. That being said it still does contain the unique style of the great Colombian and is worth reading if you want to see his progression as a writer." As always, we hope you enjoy, Mere Mortals out! Timeline:(0:00) - Synopsis(2:22) - La Violencia: The political battle of Colombia(3:36) - Los Pasquines: The dark side of human nature(6:33) - Personal Observations(9:23) - Summary(11:05) - Pragmatic Takeaway: Keep up the out loud reading Connect with Mere Mortals:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E68 · Sat, February 13, 2021
The Coddling Of The American Mind (Greg Lukianoff & Jonathan Haidt) - Book Review
What are the reasons for the rise of safe spaces, microaggressions and extreme social justice on American college campuses? 'The Coddling Of The American Mind' by Greg Lukianoff & Jonathan Haidt attempts to explain the psychology and cognitive distortions of iGen (also known as Generation Z). Three Great Untruths have been adopted by these students which has led to the culture of 'safetyism' in which safety has become a sacred value that cannot be questioned. I summarised the book as follows. "It's a detailed and critical examination of a particular type of mass psychological mania. Greg & Jonathan present sound arguments of well-balanced research that shows how overprotection and technological change is creating an energetic but poorly directed culture amongst students. It provides plenty of specific and broad advice on how to fix the problems and my only negative was that I personally have become less interested in the topic than I was say 2 or 3 years ago and therefore found myself becoming bored in parts." As always, we hope you enjoy, Mere Mortals out! Timeline:(0:00) - Synopsis(2:36) - Anti-Wisdom: The three great untruths(5:40) - Safetyism: An uncalculated risk(8:00) - Personal Observations(12:58) - Summary(14:47) - Pragmatic Takeaway: No screen Tuesday Connect with Mere Mortals:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E66 · Sat, February 13, 2021
Cat's Cradle (Kurt Vonnegut) - Book Review
Looking for a book full of truth that is actually full of shameless lies? 'Cat's Cradle' by Kurt Vonnegut is a satirical novel of black humour that treats of a dangerous situation similar to the Cold War. It follows the writer John as he researches Felix Hoenikker; one of the fathers of the atomic bomb & the inventor of the insanely dangerous Ice-Nine. Along his journey he meets an enigmatic midget, the most beautiful girl in the world and the mysterious Bokonon. The underlying themes of the book centre around the possibility of Armageddon due to rampant technological increase and the absurd religion designed to give purpose and meaning. I summarised the book as follows. "It's a fun easy read that will have you laughing. Totally ridiculous with biting dark humour on actually serious issues. Some of the finest satire I have read. The book has a unique style of extremely short chapters, there being 127 in only 206 pages. I would recommend it to those who enjoy the series of Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy or The Diceman." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Synopsis (2:07) - Armageddon: The price of technology and development (5:19) - Bokonism: The religion of the absurd (8:36) - Personal Observations (10:58) - Summary (12:18) - Pragmatic Takeaway: Have some absurdity Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E65 · Sat, February 13, 2021
Range (David Epstein) - Book Review
Is it better to generalise or specialise? 'Range' by David Epstein argues that generalists actually manage to do better in a specialised world. He previously wrote a book called 'The Sports Gene' and he himself said he put around 150% more effort into producing this book. Some arguments he makes are that hyper specialisation can be detrimental due to becoming cognitively entrenched in a field and that a thinker can become worse not better by the additional information they are provided. Juan summarised the book as follows. "While a lot of what he says is true, I don't think hyper-specialisation is a bad thing and it is just when you actually decide to hyper-specialise seems to be the problem in the matter. Some of the best ways of learning for me personally is through engaging stories and this book has them. However it has 60-70 stories and probably has 10 too many." As always, we hope you enjoy, Mere Mortals out! Timeline: (0:00) - Synopsis (3:58) - Cognitively Entrenched (5:52) - Learning Is Hard (8:02) - Information Overload (11:49) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E64 · Sat, February 13, 2021
Cool It (Bjørn Lomborg) - Book Review
Do you believe the global warming debate is full of hyperbole and needs calmer arguments? 'Cool It' by Bjørn Lomborg (a Danish statistician/political scientist) is the sequel to his wildly successful book 'The Skeptical Environmentalist'. In it he argues against dramatic climate change response due to the overhype & poor ROI of the proposed solutions. The book is also largely a rebuttal against Al Gore's 'An Inconvenient Truth' and focuses upon unemotional realism and deciding upon our priorities to make the proper trade-offs. I summarised the book as follows. "It is a book of solid rational sense from start to finish. Bjørn argues against the hyperbole of global warming and is supported by a large amount of data showing why it is not an existential threat. He firmly acknowledges that global warming is real and man-made, but states that we can make better use of our resources to fix the problems that we all acknowledge." As always, we hope you enjoy, Mere Mortals out! Timeline:(0:00) - Synopsis(2:00) - Unemotional Realism(3:58) - Tradeoffs: Smarter solutions & deciding our priorities(8:49) - Personal Observations(11:32) - Summary(12:40) - Pragmatic Takeaway: Bring the data/facts Connect with Mere Mortals:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E63 · Sat, February 13, 2021
Sort Your Sh!t Out (Gary Waldon) - Book Review
Have you got your shit sorted? 'Sort Your Sh!t Out' by Gary Waldon is a guide to confronting your own mind and the self-talk that goes within. The book is a mix of mini-activities, deeply personal stories and an introduction to Bob (the negative persona inside your own head). The book is split into 4 sections: knowing, owning, dealing and maintaining your shit. Gary essentially induces the reader to take responsibility for their own problems and their own life. I summarised the book as follows. "This is a self-help book that will have you questioning whether your shit is actually sorted. I believe it would be useful for those unused to self-reflection/introspection and who need some help along that journey. I personally had come to many of the same conclusions as Gary has through my own experiences so didn't find it as engaging as I would have whilst younger. Nevertheless it is a solid book and Gary is a top notch bloke, as seen by the discussion I had with him on a Mere Mortals Conversation #36." As always, we hope you enjoy, Mere Mortals out! Timeline:(0:00) - Synopsis(2:25) - Layout(5:03) - What Sets It Apart: The onus is on you!(7:42) - Personal Observations(9:51) - Summary(11:13) - Pragmatic Takeaway: Use the bibliography Connect with Mere Mortals:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E62 · Sat, February 13, 2021
Superbugs (Matt McCarthy) - Book Review
Did you know that the world is running out of antibiotics? 'Superbugs' by Matt McCarthy explains how antimicrobial resistance is rising against our current batch of antibiotics, thus creating superbugs. The book is a mix of the author's clinical trial of Dalbavancin, the history of antibiotics (think Alexander Fleming), the relationship he has with his mentor Tom Walsh, the science of antibiotics and exactly how these superbugs are developing. I summarised the book as follows. "The book follows a smooth narrative that will scare you shitless of germs and hospitals. It contains heart-rending stories from dying patients and the personal trials of Matt as their doctor. Questions are raised about the incentives of the healthcare industry and showcases the real world ethics that doctors face. Personally the book didn't leave a lasting impression on me as I found it a bit to abstract from my everyday life." As always, we hope you enjoy, Mere Mortals out! Timeline:(0:00) - Synopsis(2:03) - Healthcare Incentives(7:24) - Real World Ethics(11:40) - Personal Observations(14:09) - Summary(15:15) - Pragmatic Takeaway: Stop Shaking Hands Connect with Mere Mortals:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E61 · Sat, February 13, 2021
The Wim Hof Method (Wim Hof) - Book Review
Deep in, deep out. Breathe Mother Fuckers!!!!! 'The Wim Hof Method' is the layman's guide to the daily practice created by Wim Hof. The book teaches you the direct instructions but also contains a biography of the Iceman, testimonials of advocates and ends with his spiritual philosophy. The book explains how he came about his 3 Pillars (Breath/Mind/Cold) and the benefits to your health and performance that can be gained. I summarised the book as follows. "It's an overview of Wim Hof's method that translates his message in a purely textual format. It starts on firm scientific ground but gets shakier towards the end as he introduces his own spiritual beliefs. Personally I find the use of testimonials unconvincing and the message doesn't come across as strongly without the charismatic personality of Wim in person. That being said the WHM is probably something to at least try for those people with health problems that conventional science has not been able to alleviate." I hope you're having a fantastic day wherever you are in the world, Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Synopsis (1:12) - The 3 Pillars: Breath, Mind & Cold (4:34) - Benefits: Health, Performance & Beyond (6:55) - Personal Observations (9:56) - Summary (12:27) - Pragmatic Takeaway: I'm stopping the breathing Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E60 · Sat, February 13, 2021
Born To Run (Christopher McDougall) - Book Review
Have you ever tried running barefoot? In Christopher McDougall's best-selling book titled 'Born To Run' we dive into the world of ultramarathon running with a race that combines the modern with the old. The book is a mixture of biography, history, science and adventure; all wrapped up in a story of an ultramarathon held deep in the Mexican Copper Canyon. The principal themes of the book explore the lost art of endurance running and why a barefoot/minimalist shoe style might actually be beneficial to prevent running injuries. I had this to say after not being able to put down the book. "It's a very engaging tale of people pushing their limits that will make you want to run! It's engaging probably because it is a little bit exaggerated but as long as you keep that in mind it's a fascinating book about ultramarathoners, running long distances and crazy people in general." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Synopsis (1:14) - The lost art of endurance running (6:40) - Foot health and running injuries (9:12) - Personal observations (12:29) - Summary: an engaging tale of people pushing their limits (13:12) - Pragmatic takeaway: running barefoot and without pressure Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E59 · Sat, February 13, 2021
Philosophising From 'Nineteen Eighty-Four' - George Orwell
"In the face of pain there are no heroes." This is a small quote from the book 1984 (usually fully spelt out but I'm lazy today) by George Orwell. In this bonus episode I philosophise about some of the intriguing concepts raised by the book, which include: the structural and grammatical components of Newspeak and how the language was aimed to diminish consciousness, why living in the present was discouraged and how negative emotions were used as an energy outlet, the psychological burden of torture/meaninglessness/pain, doublethink and why it is a useful concept to use in real life and the genius of the book as a whole. As always, we hope you enjoy, Mere Mortals out! Timeline:(0:00) - Introduction(0:50) - Language modification and newspeak(6:05) - The past, present and future(10:41) - The need for an emotional pressure valve(12:40) - Psychological hell: knowing the how but not the why(18:54) - The value of consciousness(22:25) - Cultural mainstays: doublethink, control and sanity(28:41) - Why 1984 is so good! Connect with Mere Mortals:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E58 · Sat, February 13, 2021
Nineteen Eighty-Four (George Orwell) - Book Review
Will the censorship enabled through technology be our downfall? 'Nineteen Eighty-Four' is an already classic fiction book published in 1949 by the author Eric Blair (under the pseudonym of George Orwell). We are treated to a small snippet from the life of Winston Smith as he battles a futile fight against a totalitarian regime. The core themes of the book revolve around control through censorship and the addiction of pure, raw power. Kyrin had this say about the book. "A book that keeps on giving. Nineteen Eighty-Four contains a memorable yet harrowing world that we have attempted to create in real life (the USSR and gulag camp system for example). The book is a true classic and has introduced cultural mainstays such as: Big Brother, doublethink, thoughtcrime and newspeak. It has powerful insights and sublime writing that is unique to George Orwell, truly one of the best books ever!" As always, we hope you enjoy, Mere Mortals out! Timeline:(0:00) - Synopsis(2:30) - Control through censorship(6:06) - Totalitarianism & power(8:49) - Personal observations(9:41) - Summary(12:10) - Pragmatic takeaway: use more colourful language! Connect with Mere Mortals:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E57 · Sat, February 13, 2021
Learnings From 'The Hero With A Thousand Faces' - Joseph Campbell
In this little bonus episode Juan goes over some of his learnings from Joseph Campbell's 'The Hero With A Thousand Faces'. His previous review of the book goes over the general themes of the book so this is more of an exploration into certain ideas and quotes that stood out to him. These include: being conscious of your own emotions while making decisions, getting too stuck in particular details of the story, asking if the ego can put itself to death, not mistaking something for what it really is and the use of beautiful language pieces from Napoleon and other figures from history. As always, we hope you enjoy, Mere Mortals out! Timeline:(0:00) - Introduction(0:45) - Emotions control your decisions(1:45) - Symbols are only the vehicles of communication(3:28) - Ego(5:20) - Mythology is psychology(6:27) - Beautiful language(7:02) - Sum up & outro Connect with Mere Mortals:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E56 · Sat, February 13, 2021
The Hero With A Thousand Faces (Joseph Campbell) - Book Review
Are you looking for a hard to read book with a vocabulary that will leave you uncertain of your English abilities? 'The Hero With A Thousand Faces' is one of the most famous works by Joseph Campbell, detailing the archetype of the hero and comparing myths/legends from across the world. It is a highly influential work with its impact reaching out from the era of Star Wars up to modern day philosophers such as Jordan Peterson. Juan had this to say about the book. "It was enjoyable in pieces and I was sharing this with a couple of people that probably 10% of it I wanted to keep on reading and really enjoyed. But it almost shot itself in the foot as you got onto the next chapter, as the next chapter just became overly ballooned with words and I just thought you could have dialled this back and really told this message you were trying to get through." As always, we hope you enjoy, Mere Mortals out! Timeline:(0:00) - Introduction(0:53) - A hard book to read(3:01) - Breakdown of the book(5:20) - A humbling vocabulary(6:02) - Psychology & myth(7:24) - Final thoughts Kyrin's previous review of the book:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iG32M6MF6o Connect with Mere Mortals:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E55 · Sat, February 13, 2021
Why Buddhism Is True (Robert Wright) - Book Review
What are the secular parts of Buddhism that align with evolutionary biology/psychology? In the somewhat provocatively titled 'Why Buddhism Is True', Robert Wright explains the insights that can be gained from mindfulness meditation and juxtaposes these with observations from hard science, natural selection and Darwinian thinking. The central themes revolve around Dukkha, Anatta and Sunyata, all of which weave together to create an explanation for why humans experience suffering and what we can do to resolve it. I summarised the book as follows. "Robert does a fantastic job of combining the subjective experiences that arise from mindfulness meditation with the solid base of scientific knowledge gained from evolutionary biology/psychology. There is no mention of the unverifiable claims of Buddhism (such as reincarnation) and the book contains some great insights and doesn't become too philosophical. I appreciated the engaging mini-stories from his own retreat but did get lost a couple of times when the terminology became difficult to understand. An interesting introduction for someone who wants to know more about the secular parts of Buddhist meditation." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Synopsis (1:13) - Dukkha: suffering or unsatisfactoriness (4:24) - Anatta: not-self and the self is an illusion (7:08) - Sunyata/Sunnatta: formless or emptiness (9:42) - Personal Observations: mini-stories and lost in terminology (11:41) - Summary: insightful and unexaggerated (13:23) - Pragmatic Takeaway: listen to a podcast with the author Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E54 · Sat, February 13, 2021
Doing Good Better (William MacAskill) - Book Review
How can we use our resources to help others the most? William MacAskill, one of the cofounders of the Effective Altruism movement tries to answer this question in his book 'Doing Good Better'. Effective altruism essentially tries to provide guidelines for what an individual can do to have the maximum impact of 'good' in their lifetime. The book is roughly split into two sections; the theory and the implementation. The theoretical side addresses questions related to measurement of charities and ways to ensure that good intentions have good outcomes. The practical implementation addresses whether it is better to donate directly, vote with your product choices, work in a profession to directly help others and social activist causes that could benefit humanity as a whole. I had this to say after reading the book. "William has a no nonsense approach to the age old problem of good intentions not necessarily leading to good outcomes. He does this by analytically determining what charities do the most good and giving a good list of practical steps that an individual can take to be effective in their choices. He has solid rational arguments with my only gripe being that the book can come across as too dispassionate and not taking into account my individual emotions/feelings to certain causes close to my heart. I found this book addressed a lot of my own arguments against donating and was well thought out and researched." As always, we hope you enjoy, Mere Mortals out! Timeline:(0:00) - Synopsis(2:26) - Theory: 5 Key Questions(8:57) - Practice: What should you do right now?(17:37) - Personal observations: moral issues and assumptions(18:41) - Summary: solid arguments but overly rational(19:31) - Pragmatic Takeaway: starting to donate Connect with Mere Mortals:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E53 · Sat, February 13, 2021
The Psychopath Test (Jon Ronson) - Book Review
How many people do you know that you would describe as a 'psychopath'?. If you answered none than you might be surprised at some of the info contained within 'The Psychopath Test' by Jon Ronson. The book is written in Ronson's signature style, jumping between different branches of the topic and interviewing bizarre people connected with the world of prisons, insane asylums and high powered CEO's. Kyrin had this to say about the book. "Psychopaths are disturbing and morbidly fascinating, there is a reason why there are so many true crime shows and podcasts. As far as the book goes, Jon Ronson weaves a beautiful narrative, there can be no doubt about it. His books are just plain fun due to his style and witty observations. He is also excellent at raising intriguing questions but doesn't spend a lot of actually answering them, so not a book for someone who likes to deep dive into a topic." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Synopsis (2:39) - How do you define a psychopath? (5:01) - Overdiagnosis & slippery slopes (10:54) - 1/100 people are a psychopath (12:49) - Summary (14:07) - Pragmatic takeaway: Using the word 'psychopath' Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E52 · Sat, February 13, 2021
Two Who Survived (M. Lee Connolly) - Book Review
'Two Who Survived' is the story of Rose & Max Schindler in the Nazi concentration camps, written by M. Lee Connolly. It follows their separate journeys as kids in an increasingly hostile Europe leading up to WWII, their survival through the Holocaust and subsequent life post-war. The book touches upon the need for hope/optimism in the darkest of times when staring in the maws of death. For those wanting more explicit detail, Rose appeared in a fantastic podcast episode with Jocko Willink. Juan had this to say about the book. "It's a 140 odd pages which also includes some pictures linking to the people and locations being discussed. Although the book deals with some dark themes and horrific stories, you also get to take a peak at when humanity shines through. A cohesive, packed book that you can read in short order and one in which you will come away with a greater appreciation for your life and the ability to grow old." As always, we hope you enjoy, Mere Mortals out! Timeline:(0:00) - Introduction(1:41) - Hope and optimism in terrible situations(3:07) - Reading from the book(4:36) - A book packed with action(6:23) - Key takeaway: never forgot what we humans are capable of(7:58) - Perspective: the gift of life(8:24) - Juan's summary Connect with Mere Mortals:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E51 · Sat, February 13, 2021
Thinking, Fast And Slow (Daniel Kahneman) - Book Review
How well do you really know your own mind? 'Thinking, Fast And Slow' is a hugely influential book published by the Nobel Prize winning psychologist Daniel Kahneman. In it he summarises 40 years of psychological research that helped to create the field of behavioural economics. The book is littered with gems of insight into the human brain and why humans behave the way we do. This includes heuristics such as loss aversion/anchoring/priming as well as larger concepts such as System 1 vs System 2, Econs vs Humans and the Experiencing Self vs Remembering Self. I summarised the book as follows. "This was probably one of the most referenced books I had come across in my life and was finally glad to read it. This would have been mind blowing to me if I had not already heard all the concepts being talked about by people who had already read it! I particularly enjoyed the little tests at the start of the chapters which really highlight how easily your mind can be led astray. My only fault with it was that some parts did become a little dry and I found myself getting distracted until I came into the next chapter. All in all a fantastic book if you want to learn more about psychology and the way the human brain works!" I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Book overview (1:40) - Prospect vs Utility theory (5:58) - System 1 vs 2, Econs vs Humans & Experiencing vs Remembering Self (9:21) - Personal observations (13:20) - Summary (15:06) - Pragmatic takeaway: be wary of probabilities Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E50 · Sat, February 13, 2021
So You've Been Publicly Shamed (Jon Ronson) - Book Review
What is the most shame you have felt and was it something public or private? 'So You've Been Publicly Shamed' is a deep dive into the topic of shame by the gonzo journalist Jon Ronson. In the book he interviews some notable people who have been shamed on a worldwide level (thanks to social media) as well as investigating the psychology of the people instigating the shaming. In his research he touches upon the role of technology, anonymity, privacy and the creation of an online persona. Kyrin had this to say about the book. "I quite enjoyed Ronson's style of mixing compelling stories, deep investigative research and personal observations all weaving through his writing. This book won't become a classic but it does raise some current concerns about how humans are using the internet and what could befall any of us. Some of the stories will arouse compassion, distaste and even annoyance at the actors on his stage. Easy to read and all in all I would describe his book as fun and interesting without becoming overly philosophical." Timeline:(0:00) - Introduction to Jon Ronson(3:00) - Public vs private shame(9:36) - Technology, anonymity and the mob(15:58) - Kyrin's observations(19:26) - Summary of the book(20:53) - Pragmatic takeaway As always, we hope you enjoy, Mere Mortals out! Connect with Mere Mortals:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E49 · Sat, February 13, 2021
Disgrace (J. M. Coetzee) - Book Review
Disgrace: the loss reputation/respect as the result of a dishonourable action. J. M. Coetzee is a Nobel Prize winner and also was awarded the Booker Prize for 'Disgrace', a fictional story of a disgraced professor in post-apartheid South Africa. The books touches upon many themes such as: sexual misconduct, growing old, race relations, creating art, rape and animal rights. However the two principal themes are about desire and disgrace. I summarised the book as follows. "Be prepared for an uncomfortable read that while beautifully written contains graphic details of a gang rape scene, an old man fornicating with a young girl and euthanisation of helpless dogs. It is quite confronting yet also is a necessary reminder of the bad things that can happen in life and how one can perhaps mentally prepare for them. A relatively short book that while not pleasant, is quite gripping." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro, general plot and themes (3:30) - Sexual desire (10:11) - Disgrace: the loss of reputation (19:17) - Personal observations (22:44) - Summary of the book (23:17) - Pragmatic takeaway: the gift of fear Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E48 · Sat, February 13, 2021
Learnings From 'The War Of Art' - Steven Pressfield
In this bonus episode Juan goes through some of his favourite quotes and learnings from Steven Pressfield's 'The War of Art'. This is supplementary to his main book review, which can be found in the link below. Although it is a relatively short book, there is a bounty of quotes and beautiful language contained within. Juan found that many of these were great for keeping him motivated and on track with his goals related to business and fitness. That's it for today, Mere Mortals out! Timeline:(0:00) - Introduction(0:45) - Homer's 'Odyssey' and invoking of 'The Muse'(2:57) - Resistance is the enemy within(5:30) - It is one thing to study war, quite another to live the warrior life(8:27) - The supreme virtue is the contempt for death 'The War of Art' book review - https://youtu.be/y_ZJY_yuIRw Connect with Mere Mortals:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E47 · Sat, February 13, 2021
The War Of Art (Steven Pressfield) - Book Review
Do you find yourself procrastinating and unable to overcome the negative self-talk of why you can't do something great? 'The War Of Art' is a fabulous kick in the pants by Steven Pressfield. In this book he explains his concept of 'Resistance', which is essentially the force that stops one from achieving the internal desire of creating and accomplishing something. It is similar to procrastination but he talks about it in a way that makes it easier to understand and overcome. The book is split into 3 sections on this topic and explains Pressfield's own methods of 'invoking the muse' and the mindset required to constantly combat 'Resistance'. Juan had this to say about the book. "It did prove to me that as I read on and on (as Kyrin suggested), by the tail end of the book I was consuming it as fast as possible in a way that I just wanted to get stuck into it. By the end I really really enjoyed it. So for me it was an 8/10." If you'd like to support us and grab the book - make sure you use this link! https://amzn.to/3hTbmoQ Timeline:(0:00) - Intro and background(1:46) - Themes: defining 'Resistance'(4:18) - Combating 'Resistance' & turning pro(5:20) - Beyond 'Resistance' & the higher realm(7:56) - Key takeaway: difference between the hierarchical vs territorial mindset As always, we hope you enjoy, Mere Mortals out! Connect with Mere Mortals:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E46 · Sat, February 13, 2021
The Age of Innocence (Edith Wharton) - Book Review
How much can one man endure while fulfilling his personal obligations to family/society? 'The Age of Innocence' was published in 1920 and one year later Edith Wharton became the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize. Her book is set in the 1870's and follows the personal dramas of high society New York, centring around the love triangle between Newland Archer, his fiancée May Welland and her captivating, enigmatic cousin Ellen Olenska. I summarised the book as follows. "I was somewhat surprised by how much I actually enjoyed this book. Drama and interpersonal relations don't tend to draw me in but I actually resonated quite a lot with Newland and his predicament. The book explores themes of social class, breaking taboo's and where an individual's happiness is acceptable in light of the obligations/duties owed to his society and family." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Background & synopsis (2:43) - Social class: doesn't make someone 'better' (8:13) - Mixing duty/obligation with love (13:24) - Is intense, fiery love sustainable? (16:16) - Personal observations (20:02) - Summary & pragmatic takeaway Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E45 · Sat, February 13, 2021
The Fourth Age (Byron Reese) - Book Review
“The Fourth Age not only discusses what the rise of A.I. will mean for us, it also forces readers to challenge their preconceptions. And it manages to do all this in a way that is both entertaining and engaging.” —The New York Times Juan tackles the book The Fourth Age: Smart Robots, Conscious Computers, and the Future of Humanity by Byron Reese. This book proved to be a great read if you want to think about AI and machines from a primal basis, based on the way we might think of our universe at large. Timeline:(0:00) - Introduction and overview(0:35) - How deep does the rabbit hole go in the book(2:20) - The Fourth Age(3:25) - The three key questions(5:45) - Trying to emulate a nematode's brain As always, we hope you enjoy, Mere Mortals out! Connect with Mere Mortals:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E44 · Sat, February 13, 2021
Republic (Plato) - Philosophising
In today's bonus episode we have some additional notes taken by Kyrin while reading Plato's 'Republic'. These expand upon some of the deeper themes encountered in the book and there were not covered in the previously released episode of the actual book review. These include: Kyrin's personal opinions on 'justice' and the treatment it received in the dialogues, game theory and how modern knowledge and techniques can be applied to age old questions and the defects in Socrates' arguments as well as some of his faulty assumptions. Timeline:(0:00) - Introduction(0:53) - Justice is the repayment of debts(4:28) - Justice is the interest of the stronger(12:38) - Game theory applied to justice(15:05) - Thoughts on Socrates(16:58) - Faulty assumptions & ethical qualms(23:23) - Summary of the chapters(26:25) - An intriguing book Connect with Mere Mortals:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast Support the show
S1 E41 · Sat, February 13, 2021
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (Mark Twain) - Book Review
What is the experience of reading English literature in Spanish? 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer' is the classic fictional account of carefree youth in the American antebellum south. We follow Tom and his faithful companions through adventures of piracy, playing hooky and finding buried treasure. The book evokes the childlike naivety/innocence that we all once experienced as well as the superstitions and simple mindedness of the people in the American south. Kyrin had this to say of the tale. "I read the translated Spanish version of this book and the iconic Mark Twain style still resonates throughout. He is amazingly witty and the storytelling from scene to scene is superb. I highly enjoyed the adventures and also gained more respect of Samuel Clemens after learning about his own adventures through his life. A superb book written by a superb human being!" Timeline:(0:00) - Introduction and overview(2:20) - Childlike naivety and innocence(5:24) - Superstitions and simple mindedness(11:22) - Reading Mark Twain in Spanish(13:58) - Amazing storytelling and an amazing person(16:39) - A superb book(17:02) - Pragmatic takeaway: become a doer As always, we hope you enjoy, Mere Mortals out! Connect with Mere Mortals:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast Support the show
S1 E43 · Sat, February 13, 2021
Republic (Plato) - Book Review
How does one become a 'Philosopher King'? Plato's 'Republic' is one of the seminal works of philosophy and one that has had a tremendous impact on critical thought and culture. It follows Socrates as he converses with friends and interlocutors on the purpose of defining the nature of 'justice'. As part of his argument, Socrates develops the concept of a perfect 'Republic' led by his Philosopher Kings. Another famous cultural icon to emerge from the book was his allegory of the cave (Plato's Cave), a way to describe the effect of education and seeking higher knowledge. Kyrin had this to say about 'Republic': "It was hugely influential and a pivotal book that requires attention and work. This isn't the sort of book that you can read flippantly and think that you've got it. For me it was largely not enjoyable but did provoke some insights. I feel this is one of those books you need to read a couple of times to really delve into all of its themes." Timeline:(0:00) - Introduction & synopsis(2:17) - The nature of 'justice'(5:07) - Philosopher Kings and finding the true reality(7:43) - The 5 types of regimes(10:25) - Personal observations(14:14) - Summary(15:18) - Pragmatic takeaway: compassion As always, we hope you enjoy, Mere Mortals out! Connect with Mere Mortals:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast Support the show
S1 E42 · Sat, February 13, 2021
Sons And Lovers (D.H. Lawrence) - Book Review
If you enjoy long, boring, tedious, conversation filled books, then look no further. 'Sons And Lovers' is the fictional story of a lower class English family living in the 19th century. It revolves largely around Gertrude Morel's two sons (William & Paul) and their unsatisfying relationships due to their overbearing mother. Her prolonged estrangement from her husband and vicarious living through her sons ultimately ends in a ruinous end for the whole family. I summarised the book as follows. "I take full responsibility for my lack of enjoyment and even the harshness of this review. After reading 10% I pretty much knew that this book had very little to offer me, but I stuck through it for the sole purpose of achieving my arbitrary yearly goal of reading 50 books. I found the writing overly descriptive and honestly think the same result could have been achieved in half the pages. Not my favourite book and one of the worst reviews I have given out in the past year." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Intro & upcoming changes (1:10) - Synopsis (5:18) - Stifled ambition & vicarious living (8:25) - Asexuality; divorcing the soul from the physical (14:09) - Evocative and enchanting scenery (14:47) - Interactions between the characters (18:05) - A long, boring, tedious book (18:50) - Pragmatic outcome; no book goals Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E40 · Sat, February 13, 2021
Dracula (Bram Stoker) - Book Review
Is there a price for everlasting life? 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker is the origin story of the most famous vampire in literary and movie culture. We follow Dr Van Helsing and other intrepid heroes on their mission to destroy the undead creature after his relocation from Transylvania to London in the pursuit of fresh victims. The story evokes our fear of the unknown and the everyday qualities of normal people who transform into heroes. Kyrin had this to say of his reading experience. "It was great to read the original source material of the infamous Count Dracula and see just how different he has become in the modern cultural scene. It really is a masterful story and the character development is wonderful to behold. Personally I don't enjoy the gothic/scary genre so much but I was able to appreciate where the legend came from." Timeline:(0:00) - Introduction and overview(2:57) - That which we fear is the unknown(4:23) - A hero voluntarily faces their fears(6:04) - Natural laws and the desire for immortality(8:22) - Personal observations(10:36) - In summary; a masterful story(11:28) - Pragmatic takeaway: research origin stories As always, we hope you enjoy, Mere Mortals out! Connect with Mere Mortals:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast Support the show
S1 E39 · Sat, February 13, 2021
Gulliver's Travels (Jonathan Swift) - Book Review
How would your perspective change in the world of the giants or amongst the little people? 'Gulliver's Travels' is the classic 18th century travel adventure by Jonathan Swift. The book follows Lemuel Gulliver across his four adventures in strange lands amongst strange people. It deals with contrasting perspectives changed by viewpoint, the different types of government and the practicality of misanthropy. Kyrin had this to say of the book. "I found the book to be more enjoyable and thought provoking in hindsight. Unfortunately the actual reading experience is dampened by the outdated satire and old English language. Nevertheless it contains some real gems, highlighting why it has become a enduring classic for nearly 300 years." Timeline:(0:00) - Introduction(2:08) - Synopsis of the four adventures(4:04) - Contrasting perspectives changed by viewpoint(7:51) - No form of government will be perfect(9:32) - Can misanthropy be useful?(11:55) - Personal observations(15:12) - Summary and pragmatic takeaway As always, we hope you enjoy, Mere Mortals out! Connect with Mere Mortals:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast Support the show
S1 E38 · Sat, February 13, 2021
The Turn Of The Screw & The Aspern Papers (Henry James) - Book Review
Were the ghosts real or was the Governess crazy? 'The Turn Of The Screw' & 'The Aspern Papers' are two novellas written by the uber-prolific Henry James (seriously, the dude wrote a lot). Both stories deal with a central character losing themselves in their situation, whether it be an uncertain horror transported into everyday reality or a man single-mindedly pursuing what he wants. Kyrin had this to say of the two tales. "I really don't like horror and thrills so these probably weren't the best of books for me to read. Of the two I preferred 'The Aspern Papers', however both are written in an manner that incites intrigue and suspense. Unfortunately I didn't find that the tales ignited any new ideas or viewpoints and my actual enjoyment level while reading was minimal." Timeline:(0:00) - Introduction & synopsis(3:11) - Hysteria & madness(6:17) - What is ethical in the pursuit of value & truth?(7:52) - Kyrin is a scaredy-cat(9:24) - Creating a memorable character(10:42) - Overall summary and rating(11:28) - Pragmatic takeaway As always, we hope you enjoy, Mere Mortals out! Connect with Mere Mortals:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast Support the show
S1 E37 · Sat, February 13, 2021
Life On The Mississippi (Mark Twain) - Book Review
The most enjoyable book that I have read all year! 'Life On The Mississippi' is a non-conventional book, alternating between memoirs, story telling, historical facts, reminisces of the past and cultural observations. Mark Twain gets the chance to recount his old adventures as a steamboat pilot on the Mississippi river in his youth and explore some of the changes that he has seen from before and after the American Civil War and the effects of the Industrial Revolution. I summarised the book as follows. "I came into this book expecting it to be a descriptive but maybe somewhat boring recount of the American past. However, I had so many moments of deep belly laughs and became fascinated with the vivid picture that Mark Twain painted of this era. Not only that but he touches upon some of the questions we still ask ourselves today about technology, losing certain human abilities and adapting to the present moment. A great book if you are looking for an entertaining read and a transportation into the past." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Introduction (1:42) - Life in different eras and vestiges of the past (4:05) - Not preparing for life's changes (6:42) - Technology and losing human abilities (11:28) - The fascinating intricacies from passionate people (13:10) - A wild time in history (14:10) - Mark Twain is hilarious (15:55) - An amazing book doesn't need to be conventional (17:42) - Pragmatic takeaway Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E36 · Sat, February 13, 2021
The Odyssey (Homer) - Book Review
"He smote his breast, and thus reproached his heart. Endure, my heart; far worst has thou endured." If you are looking for an uplifting tale of a man's struggle through life, then look no further. 'The Odyssey' is the second of the epic poems by the Greek author Homer. Kyrin from the Mere Mortals crew has already reviewed the well renowned 'The Iliad' and herein contains his opinions of the journey of Odysseus. "The poem brings forth suggestive questions still applicable to a modern context. What is a hero? Why is the call of home so strong? What are the limits that a single person can endure? Though not answered implicitly, we can gain knowledge of these from the behaviour and speech of Odysseus and his companions. In comparison to 'The Iliad' I personally found this story a bit too drawn out and lacking in the specific details that we see when we follow the adventure of Achilles. Nevertheless it is a decent read and worth knowing the general tale, if for no other reason that it's still talked about and parodied (The Simpsons for example) in modern times." Timeline:(0:00) - Introduction(3:53) - What is a hero?(6:06) - The call of home and why people move(9:01) - Hospitality and how it can be abused(10:19) - Comparison to The Iliad(13:05) - Summary and pragmatic takeaway As always, we hope you enjoy, Mere Mortals out! Connect with Mere Mortals:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast Support the show
S1 E35 · Sat, February 13, 2021
Crime And Punishment (Fyodor Dostoyevsky) - Book Review
Are great men born or made? Fyodor Dostoyevsky explores this question amongst many others in his extraordinary novel 'Crime And Punishment'. Published in 1866 this Russian masterpiece is still considered one of the greatest books ever written. It tells the story of Rodion Raskolnikov and his psychological undoing after committing a horrific crime in an insane intellectual pursuit. Raskolnikov's subsequent subconscious guilt and near descent to insanity is beautifully captured in a book that does not lack in thought provoking themes. I summarised the book as follows. "If you are even minutely interested in psychology this book is a must read. Dostoyevsky is probably one of the greatest writers to ever express the monologue and internal states of his characters. A personal highlight for me was Raskolnikov's rant at Sonya in Part 5 - Chapter 4. The book is long and deals with dreary themes but keeps delivering the reader new developments to consider." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Introduction (3:34) - Do morals exist beyond the individual? (5:27) - Comparison with Thérèse Raquin (8:04) - Are great men born or made? (12:43) - Master of the monologue and psychology (14:26) - The quirks of fate (15:23) - Russian names and long reading (16:44) - Pragmatic lesson Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E34 · Sat, February 13, 2021
What I Talk About When I Talk About Running (Haruki Murakami) - Learnings
Following on from the review of What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami, Juan from the Mere Mortals digs into the learnings that he found through the book. As always, we hope you enjoy! Connect with Mere Mortals:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E33 · Sat, February 13, 2021
What I Talk About When I Talk About Running (Haruki Murakami) - Book Review
You really get to know what Mr Murakami talks about when he talks about running. A really wonderful piece of literature which comprises a few short pieces throughout his time in 2005/06 , it goes through the trials and tribulations of preparing for a marathon as he has aged, not doing as well as he would have expected, running distances longer than a marathon, the feelings around that and many more. Tune in for Juan's short take on the book. As always, we hope you enjoy! If you would like to support our channel and grab the book as well, find our amazon link below:https://amzn.to/3yDRyet Connect with Mere Mortals:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E32 · Sat, February 13, 2021
Thérèse Raquin (Émile Zola) - Book Review
Is there a moral boundary that cannot be crossed, even by those who act unthinkingly? 'Thérèse Raquin' is a simple story with only four main characters. Set in 19th century Paris, it tells of passion, betrayal, murder, deception and ultimately, accountability. Émile Zola wrote the book in a literary style known as 'Naturalistic'. In the preface he expressly states that he was interested in the temperaments of the personas, rather than their characters. By this he explores how humans would behave in an extreme situation, where free will plays very little part. Kyrin of the Mere Mortals crew had this to say. "Overall it is gloomy and sad but manages to be very entertaining, even riveting at points. The simple plot and sparse use of characters makes it flow superbly, without the reader needing to backtrack and reconfirm previous passages. The descriptions of old grimy working-class Paris spring into the mind clearly. It prompts questions of unendurable suffering, the acceptability of suicide and how the sub-conscience interacts with morality. A fine read!" Connect with Mere Mortals:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E31 · Sat, February 13, 2021
The Trial And Death Of Socrates (Plato) - Book Review
Are you willing to put it all on the line and to die for your beliefs? In 'The Trial And Death Of Socrates' we indeed find someone who is willing to do this. This short book is composed from three of the four Socratic Dialogues (Apology/Crito/Phaedo) by the Athenian philosopher, Plato. It mostly takes the form of monologues by Socrates with some short back and forth with his friends. It tells of his trial, reasons for not fleeing, musings on death & the soul before his final suicide by poison. Kyrin of the Mere Mortals crew had this to say. "What does one owe the state? Is suicide morally acceptable? Is the soul immortal? These are several questions that arise when one reads of Socrates final days and his rhetorical arguments. He obviously was a man who thought deeply and indeed contained much wisdom. Unfortunately his argumentative and holier than thou personality resulted in making too many enemies and subsequently led to his unfair punishment. A short and quick read but one that requires concentration, perfect for those who love philosophy." Connect with Mere Mortals:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E30 · Sat, February 13, 2021
The Iliad (Homer) - Book Review
“Let me not then die ingloriously and without a struggle, but let me first do some great thing that shall be told among men hereafter.” This is a wholly Mere Mortal endorsed quote from 'The Iliad'. Written sometime long ago (thought to be 8th century B.C.) by the poet Homer, it is an epic poem of part of the war between the Greeks and the Trojans outside the walled city of Ilium. The main focus of the numerous battles rests with two heroic fighters, the Trojan prince Hector and the demigod Achilles. I summarised the book as follows. "The poem is superbly written and easily understandable to this day. It reveals both the sublime and the ignoble of battle. The honour, glory and heroism is offset by the gore, sorrow and cowardice. The unpredictability and downright erratic nature of the gods can be observed throughout and calls to question why the ancients worshipped such capricious beings? The book is surprisingly fun, considering the brutal scenes within. Creative adjectives that go before each character is a unique style I also hadn't encountered before." Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E29 · Sat, February 13, 2021
Tribe of Mentors (Timothy Ferriss) - Book Review Quotes
Tim Ferriss, the #1 New York Times best-selling author of The 4-Hour Workweek, shares his book a Tribe of Mentors, a choose your own adventure type book where you can pick and reach from 130+ of the world's top successes. Hand in hand with the existing book review, the team went through some of the favourite quotes we encountered through this book (note there is a LOT of quotes in this one). Juan divulges why these quotes resonated so well with his Why's through this quote series. Enjoy! Connect with Mere Mortals:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E28 · Sat, February 13, 2021
Tribe of Mentors (Timothy Ferriss) - Book Review
Tim Ferriss, the #1 New York Times best-selling author of The 4-Hour Workweek , shares his book a Tribe of Mentors, a choose your own adventure type book where you can pick and reach from 130+ of the world's top successes. Tim uses a great selection of questions that allows each of the individuals in the book to share open and honest insights into their life and how they handle things like "how to say no" and "the best things they have bought under $100". An insightful book, best served as a pick up and read rather than going cover to cover. 8/10. Connect with Mere Mortals:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E27 · Sat, February 13, 2021
The Gulag Archipelago: Abridged (Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn) - Quotes
In this video I go over some of my favourite quotes from abridged version of 'The Gulag Archipelago'. These are select snippets that highlight the most important passages of the book where I will then adding my own personal reflections on the quote and why it struck me so deeply. If you are looking for a general overview of the book, please head to the Book Review, which gives a synopsis of the principal themes. I summarised the book as follows. "The Gulag Archipelago is a monumental work and truly exposes one of the worst regimes that humans have ever created. The quotes I picked out struck me for their poignancy and capture the literary style of Solzhenitsyn. Not for the faint of heart, they show how kids were given 10+ year prison sentences, the fear evoked by an arrest and the depravity of the gulag guards." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! If you would like to support the channel, you can grab yourself a copy of the book here! https://amzn.to/3ntvrVO Timeline: (0:00) - Purpose of the video (0:57) - Arrests as a pandemic (2:42) - War heroes as criminals (5:30) - Stalin the jackal (7:20) - Inefficient interrogation (8:53) - You today, me tomorrow (10:51) - The line dividing evil cuts every human heart (12:45) - Hunger strikes are useless (14:41) - No gas for the gas chambers (16:37) - Competing plans (18:22) - Conditions of the corpses (20:24) - Children were not spared (21:38) - Arrests never got easier (22:55) - Blatnye: the theives (24:15) - 10 years in the camps for a child (26:08) - Going over your life with a fine-tooth comb (28:10) - Crocodile tears (30:41) - Growing old overnight Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E26 · Sat, February 13, 2021
The Call Of The Wild (Jack London) - Book Review
Nature vs Nurture, which is more influential? This is one of the queries that pop up when reading 'The Call Of The Wild' by Jack London. Probably the most well known of his works, it is very similar to 'White Fang' in many ways. We follow a St Bernard cross Scotch Collie named Buck as he returns to the icy wilderness of Northern Canada. Along his journey he rediscovers his baser, deep rooted instincts. Kyrin of the Mere Mortal crew had this to say. "Sometimes you can read two very similar books and only one of them will move you. This occurred for me with White Fang, leaving me slightly disappointed with Call Of The Wild. They both touch upon similar themes, have similar scenery and characters but something was just lacking. A decent book nevertheless and worth reading if you love dogs and the wilderness." Connect with Mere Mortals:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E25 · Sat, February 13, 2021
The Gulag Archipelago: Abridged (Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn) - Book Review
What can be learned from the senseless death of millions and how can we ensure it never happens again? 'The Gulag Archipelago' is a three-volume work that transformed the World's opinion on the USSR and communist ideology. The author, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, spent 8 years in the forced labour camps before being released under the sweeping reforms put in place after Stalin's death. He wrote of his experiences and those of his comrades in the frozen Russia tundra under essentially unliveable conditions. His work has had a recent revival of interest following the popularity of Jordan Peterson and his praise of the book. I read the abridged version of this mammoth work. "This book really hits home the suffering and utter misery that was inflicted upon a whole nation. Solzhenitsyn's words scream out the unimaginable cruelty and unanswered rage through compassionate stories, comedic sarcasm and plain facts. It really is a horrifying book, but is almost a masterpiece of revealing not only the misery we can create as a group, but the suffering we can endure as an individual." "There is a reason why this book had such a profound impact from the moment it was released. It touches upon the bare naked themes of humanities worst and greatest parts. If you desire to catch a glimpse of what Hell looks like (both physically and psychologically), then this will do it. Tough reading, but full of essential knowledge." As always, we hope you enjoy! If you would like to support the channel, you can grab yourself a copy of the book here! https://amzn.to/3ntvrVO Timeline: (0:00) - Solzhenitsyn Quote (0:33) - Synopsis (2:54) - Lack Of Integrity & Responsibility Of Individuals (6:10) - Human Nature Was Tested (10:22) - Personal Observations (14:35) - Summary (16:57) - Pragmatic Takeaway: Affirmation Of My Responsibility Connect with Mere Mortals: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E24 · Sat, February 13, 2021
The Alchemist (Paulo Coelho) - Book Review
"To realize one's destiny is a person's only obligation". This is a quote taken from the book 'The Alchemist' by Paulo Coelho. It is a relatively short book of a simple story; a young shepherd goes on a journey to find his treasure. However the tale is enrapturing and one can't help but be drawn in and identify parts of oneself in Santiago, the Andalusian shepherd. Although it primarily addresses the spiritual/psychological barriers that prevent us from fulfilling our dreams, it also packs in practical wisdom for everyday use. I summarised the book as follows. "I came across this book in a pivotal point in my life, deciding whether to quit my job and fulfil my dream of travelling South America. Reading this book helped cement my decision. Nothing causes more regret and sorrow than cowing with fear away from pursuing a desired goal. A goal that is driven by an internal passion cannot be ignored." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! If you would like to support the channel, you can grab yourself a copy of the book here! https://amzn.to/3911qV0 Timeline: (0:00) - Synopsis (2:03) - The Personal Legend (6:18) - Omens & The Soul of The World (11:00) - Personal Observations (15:52) - Summary (17:10) - Pragmatic Takeaway: Add to the Wisdom Worksheet Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E23 · Sat, February 13, 2021
100 Years Of Solitude (Gabriel García Márquez) - Book Review
Have you read one of the best books that Latin America has to offer? '100 Year of Solitude' is the magnus opus of the Nobel laureate Gabriel García Márquez. Although only published in 1967 it is already a classic book of worldwide literature. It is a long meandering tale that tells the story of the Buendía family in the magical town of Macondo. Numerous generations are born and die as they interact with the introduction of technology, magic and oppression from within and without. I summarised the book as follows. "I spent 7 months deciphering this classic in Spanish so my impression of the book comes from the original text, however with a bit less comprehension as Spanish is not my native language. The book touches upon the changing of time and fortune & the strange sense of pleasure that can be derived from loneliness/nostalgia. One of the finest examples of 'magic realism' style and well worth the time invested to read. Definitely recommended for those who would describe themselves as nostalgic or wistful as the book exquisitely captures that essence of feeling. Viva Colombia!" I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Timeline: (0:00) - Synopsis (3:27) - Strictness can lead to a stressful life (5:50) - A sense of nostalgia (9:23) - Reading it in Spanish (11:47) - Legacy: Time forgets all (16:58) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E22 · Sat, February 13, 2021
The Food Of The Gods (H.G. Wells) - Book Review
How would 19th century British folk handle a situation of their children growing to the size of 4 story buildings? If you have ever asked yourself this very specific question than 'The Food of The Gods and How It Came To Earth' by H.G. Wells is the perfect book for you. The book raises some interesting questions one of these being: are there inventions/discoveries that can or should be un-invented? I was very excited after reading the initial pages and the basic premise of the plot, but was let down as the book went on. Fiction writers have a difficult job of choosing where to take the story from the initial conception and I personally wanted to see it head in a different direction than where it did go. The book wasn't all bad though as it contained one of my new favourite fictional characters, that being Cossar the engineer. To learn more about him and why I liked him, listen on. Hope you enjoy, Kyrin out! If you would like to support the channel, you can grab yourself a copy of the book here! https://amzn.to/3huqbh3 Connect with Mere Mortals: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E21 · Sat, February 13, 2021
An Unquiet Mind (Kay Redfield Jamison) - Book Review
What is it like to have bipolar disorder? 'An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness' is a biography by Kay R. Jamison, a doctor/psychologist who researches this very topic and who also is afflicted with the same disorder. Previously known as manic depression, it is a mental disorder with a strong genetic component that results in intense mood swings with little ability of regulation. She tells of the highs and lows, public perception/misconceptions and the necessity of those afflicted to take their medication. I summarised the book as follows. "I was interested in this book as I wanted to read more about the subjective experience of depression. While the book does touch upon this issue, it is mostly an account of the life of the author and how she handled (or did not handle) living with a mental disorder that severely effected her life. For me it was a little boring as I was looking for something different, but it is always useful to get an honest first person account of something I will likely never experience myself." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! If you would like to support the channel, you can grab yourself a copy of the book here! https://amzn.to/3A8B2UY Timeline: (0:00) - Synopsis (4:48) - Social stigma & public reception (9:20) - Signs and manifestations of the disorder (11:39) - Personal Observations (13:17) - Summary (16:00) - Pragmatic Takeaway: Be less judgemental! Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E20 · Sat, February 13, 2021
White Fang (Jack London) - Book Review
'White Fang' is the tale of a wolf cub who is born in the wild, learning the call of the wild and the brutal lessons of nature. Through a gradual period of interacting with indigenous and white Americans, he gradually becomes tamer, but still with the spirit of a wolf within. The story lends itself to children but is masterfully told and can draw in a reader of any age. While a captivating tale, it is not exactly a pleasant story. White Fang fully experiences Thomas Hobbes description of life 'nasty, brutish and short'. He endures the suffering of famine, abusive owners, constant bullying and predation from other animals. Thankfully the book ends with an uplifting ending and there are moments of joy when he is living his life fully as a wolf. This is an enrapturing novel with great lessons throughout. As always, we hope you enjoy, Mere Mortals out! If you would like to support the channel, you can grab yourself a copy of the book here! https://amzn.to/3tHDSxN Connect with Mere Mortals: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E19 · Sat, February 13, 2021
Meditations (Marcus Aurelius) - Book Review
'Meditations' are the reflections of Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor from 161-180 AD, renowned for his wise ruling as 'The Philosopher'. The book is a collection of personal notes to himself and is split into 12 chapters (or books) each containing many small quotes/larger thoughts on Stoic philosophy, the nature of Death, living in the present moment and dealing with emotions (amongst other subjects). He never intended for his writings to be published as a book, so we gain the unadulterated wisdom of one of the most powerful people to ever live. We are present to his own struggles with his emotions and of how to live the best life possible. In some parts the language used is difficult to interpret but the book is full of techniques and practical advice of how to endure through suffering and become a better person. If you would like to support the channel, you can grab yourself a copy of the book here! https://amzn.to/3tBmpXQ Connect with Mere Mortals: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E18 · Sat, February 13, 2021
Storm of Steel (Ernst Jünger) - Book Review
A hectic account of trench warfare by a born soldier! 'Storm of Steel' by Ernst Jünger is a first person account of life during World War I as told through the eyes of a young German soldier. There is no particular plot, closer to a diary of his experiences on the Western Front during engagements such as the: Battle of Ypres, Battle of Cambrai & the final German spring offensive. It's not a political book and is simply an account of what Jünger saw/felt during this period of his life. I summarised the book as follows. "Jünger faces unending blood, raining steel, bone-numbing cold, asphyxiating gas, energy snapping mud and a meeting with death. If you ever wanted to know what the experience of a modern day adrenaline junkie would be during war time, then this is the book for you. Though it might glorify war in some aspects 'Storm of Steel' is as real as it gets and the author is also as real as it gets." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! If you would like to support the channel, you can grab yourself a copy of the book here! https://amzn.to/3lnmgni Timeline: (0:00) - Intro & Synopsis (3:51) - Excitement of the fight (8:10) - The tricks & turns of fate (9:35) - Personal Observations (14:17) - Summary (16:12) - Pragmatic Takeaway: Start reading books in pairs of two Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E17 · Sat, February 13, 2021
All Quiet On The Western Front (Erich Maria Remarque) - Book Review
'All Quiet On The Western Front' is the harrowing experiences of fighting and dying, as told by a German WWI soldier. The author uses an alter-ego of Paul Baümer to fully describe the brutal reality of average life in the trenches. The book details the minutiae of frayed shell shocked nerves, mind-numbing boredom and explosive sudden bloodshed. One of the central themes we understand from the book is that nobody comes out of this experience for the better. Even those who survive come out apathetic and indifferent to the new daily monotony, their dreams have already been taken from them. For me this book really hit home the tragedy of the generation of men lost in not only WWI but WWII as well. This book has some vivid memorable scenes that I don't think I'll forget easily (the shelling in the recently buried cemetery for example). Reading it is not exactly a pleasant experience, but will give you gratitude for your current circumstances and a greater appreciation of the men and women protecting our countries. As always, we hope you enjoy, Mere Mortals out! If you would like to support the channel, you can grab yourself a copy of the book here! https://amzn.to/3z31vSA Connect with Mere Mortals: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E16 · Sat, February 13, 2021
Pinocchio (Carlo Collodi) - Mere Mortals Book Review
'Pinocchio' by Carlo Collodi is the 1883 classic children's book of a puppet come to life . Though written for children it initially had a very tragic ending, with poor Pinocchio left for dead, hung by the neck from a tree. Thankfully Collodi added more chapters to the book and we now have an uplifting ending to the tale. It is is surprisingly deep with many life lessons (such as reaping what you sow, developing virtue, not to case pearls before swine, etc.,), which is why it is one of the most translated books of all time. The original tale is very different from the Disney movie and well worth a read, for young and old. I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! If you would like to support the channel, you can grab yourself a copy of the book here! https://amzn.to/3zT7xqk Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E8 · Sat, February 13, 2021
Sailing True North (James Stavridis) - Book Review
From one of the most distinguished admirals of our time and a former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, a meditation on leadership and character refracted through the lives of ten of the most illustrious naval commanders in history, alongside the 10 characteristics of effective leadership. Connect with Mere Mortals:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E7 · Sat, February 13, 2021
The Restaurant At The End Of The Universe (Douglas Adams) - Book Review
"In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move." Above is a typical funny passage that one can find in 'The Restaurant At The End Of The Universe' by Douglas Adams. This is the 2nd book of the Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy trilogy and follows the adventure of Arthur, Ford, Zaphod and Trillian as they continue their random, absurd, highly illogical journey. They travel through time and space to get a good meal and enjoy the end of the universe. I summarised the book as follows. "The plot (if you can even call it that) is so zany and has so little structure that each chapter could almost be read as a stand-alone short story. What comes out in the writing of Adams is the classic British deadpan humour and his unique gift with wordplay. A fun, forget the troubles of the world type of book. Hope you enjoy it as I did!" I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! If you would like to support the channel, you can grab yourself a copy of the book here! https://amzn.to/3jJEsYs Timeline: (0:00) - Synopsis (2:58) - Wordplay and classic British deadpan (6:08) - Personal Observations (10:27) - Summary (11:55) - Pragmatic Takeaway: Learn some new words Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E6 · Sat, February 13, 2021
The Wealth of Nations (Adam Smith) - Book Review
This episode of the Mere Mortals book review covers 'The Wealth of Nations' by Adam Smith. This is a classic book of economics that lays out the general principles of wealth, particularly in relation to nations. It is a dense, long book to get through and has the old style of English language (it was first published in 1776), making it very difficult to read. I personally could only get through about 10% of the 570-something pages. A good book for those who want to read what would be one of the first ground-breaking books on economics, as long as you are prepared to grind away. I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E14 · Sat, February 13, 2021
Demian (Hermann Hesse) - Mere Mortals Book Review
An exploration into the inner world of yourself. 'Demian' by Hermann Hesse is a psychological journey of facing fear, pursuing the inner voice and preparing oneself for a life of lonesome transcendence. Young Emil Sinclair grows out of adolescence into early manhood with the help from his enigmatic friend Max Demian. The book is narrated by Sinclair and reveals the challenges he must confront to transform beyond his initial, somewhat weak and naïve beginning. I summarised the book as follows. "Somewhat bizarre at times but the calm mood that runs throughout is perfect. I personally gained much wisdom from this book and believe there are many life lessons to be gained from it. Highly recommended, especially for those interested in understanding the inner voice/mind and how it can be used as a force for good." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! If you would like to support the channel, you can grab yourself a copy of the book here! https://amzn.to/3n4gBVv Timeline: (0:00) - Synopsis (4:40) - The inner voices (8:31) - Depression: Requires conscious confrontation to defeat (11:20) - The moral voice and unlearning preconceptions (14:42) - Summary (15:49) - Pragmatic Takeaway: Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E15 · Sat, February 13, 2021
Invisible Man (Ralph Ellison) - Mere Mortals Book Review
'Invisible Man' is a commentary of American society in the late 1940's as told from the perspective of an unnamed African American narrator. The book is fictional but contains similarities to real events experienced by Ralph Ellison during his lifetime. It changes between pure narration to lyrical prose, poetic drama and even fantastical dreamlike scenarios. The narrator experiences a loss of identity due to the societal insistence of viewing him solely as part of his racial group. He undergoes a journey from hopeful and naïve to hardened and calloused, almost to the point of breaking. It is a sad, gloomy and at times, downright disgusting portrayal of American life (battle royal scene for example) as seen through the eyes of the narrator. Recommended for those looking for a perspective of American racism and willing to endure a long book (581 pages). As always, we hope you enjoy, Mere Mortals out! Connect with Mere Mortals:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E13 · Sat, February 13, 2021
Steppenwolf (Hermann Hesse) - Mere Mortals Book Review
A book that is 'For Madmen Only'! 'Steppenwolf' by Hermann Hesse is the semi-fictional, semi-autobiographical tale of Harry Haller, a man whose nature is part man and part wolf. Hesse wrote this (his 10th novel) in 1927 during a prolonged existential crisis caused by the Great War, marriage problems and a severe depression. It explores themes of suicidal depression, the plurality of inner voices/desires and intense loneliness. I summarised the book as follows. "It's rather gloomy and sad with parts of ecstatic exuberance. It does explore some deep (rather unpleasant) aspects of the human condition and for certain types of people I think will really connect. However, I really didn't like the character of Haller, in fact I detested him. He displayed such bad personal qualities that I found it hard to empathise with him and the ending in the magical theatre was just a bit too weird for me. I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! If you would like to support the channel, you can grab yourself a copy of the book here! https://amzn.to/3DNXHZ1 Timeline: (0:00) - Intro & Synopsis (4:02) - Plurality of inner voices (8:26) - The importance of direction (10:00) - Personal Observations (14:54) - Summary (16:09) - Pragmatic Takeaway: Read more Hermann Hesse! Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E12 · Sat, February 13, 2021
Never Split The Difference (Chris Voss With Tahl Raz) - Mere Mortals Book Review
What can terrorists teach you about how to negotiate? 'Never Split The Difference' by Chris Voss (with Tahl Raz) is about how to use negotiation skills in real life. The main author is an ex-FBI negotiator who learnt the principles of effective negotiation from real world experience with kidnappers, bank robbers, terrorists, sales people, academics and businessmen. The book is an exposition of his main lessons, told through a mix of history, stories, advice and psychology. I summarised the book as follows. "There are some key pieces of information that can be applied to negotiations in every day life. These range from using techniques (such as mirroring and finalising affirmation), creating empathy and controlling your emotions to simple advice (make sure you are negotiating with the people who actually make the decisions). A great book for someone looking to improve their negotiation skills, but without the whole 'system' that usually comes with such books." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! If you enjoyed this review and would like to support the team, feel free to use our referral link here! https://amzn.to/3kOuEM6 Timeline: (0:00) - Synopsis (4:49) - Negotiation tips (8:14) - Never split the difference (13:44) - Summary (15:22) - Pragmatic Takeaway: Examine my own negotiation skills Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E11 · Sat, February 13, 2021
Elon Musk (Ashlee Vance) - Mere Mortals Book Review
This episode of the Mere Mortals book review covers 'Elon Musk' by Ashlee Vance, published in 2015. The book is a biography of the billionaire and founder (somewhat disputed) of SpaceX, Tesla & SolarCity. We are taken through a journey from his early childhood in South Africa, rich tech startup kid to fighting for his businesses during the 2008 GFC and beyond. A somewhat polarising and temperamental figure at times, the book gives a good insight into his life as well as some of the personality traits that helped him to become one of the richest people on the planet. As always, hope you enjoy! Connect with Mere Mortals:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E10 · Sat, February 13, 2021
On Liberty (John Stuart Mill) - Mere Mortals Book Review
This episode of the Mere Mortals book review covers 'On Liberty' by John Stuart Mill, published in 1859. The book is an essay of his ideas regarding freedom, liberty, the shortcomings of democracy, role of the government and human rights. It is split into 5 parts: introduction, of the liberty of thought and discussion, of individuality as one of the elements of well being, of the limits to the authority of society over the individual and applications. The book is extended in its reach and covers a lot of ground. This is a seminal text on the question of freedom and raises questions that are still asked in today's time. The book is short but the text is difficult to read due to the style and grammar structure of the 19th century. Worth a check out if you are into the ideas of liberty/freedom and are willing to work to understand them. As always, hope you enjoy! If you enjoyed this review and would like to support the team, feel free to use our referral link here! https://amzn.to/3DDbrWo Connect with Mere Mortals: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E9 · Sat, February 13, 2021
Scale (Geoffrey West) - Mere Mortals Book Review
This episode of the Mere Mortals book review covers 'Scale: The Universal Laws of Life And Death In Organisms, Cities And Companies' by Geoffrey West. This book promised to deliver so much, but unfortunately fell a little bit short. In it a theoretical physicist turned biologist tries to discover what characteristics of animal, cities and companies are similar independent of size. He manages to show this in some very convincing graphs that occur throughout the book, one of the books actual strong points. The first three chapters are very solid and draw the attention with some interesting, not well known facts (such as that the average life span of heartbeats for just about every mammal is 1.5 billion). It begins to fade in the middle section of the book as he starts beginning some personal digressions, which while entirely in his right (it's his own damn book), are just not super interesting or written in a style that will make you agree/intrigued. He ends with his look at cities and companies, which unfortunately gets bogged down and to me felt like he could have shortened these chapters or make them 'pop' more. A decent book but nothing that will ever be known as a classic. 6.5/10. If you enjoyed this review and would like to support the team, feel free to use our referral link here! https://amzn.to/3DFeU6P Connect with Mere Mortals: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E4 · Sat, February 13, 2021
The Rape Of Nanking (Iris Chang) & Man's Search For Meaning (Viktor Frankl) - Book Review
This episode of the Mere Mortal book review looks at 'The Rape of Nanking' written by Iris Chang and 'Man's Search For Meaning' by Viktor Frankl. Both books are focused on massacres that occurred during WWII, but take different perspectives. Chang's book is more of a history of the event, a way to highlight to the world the tragedy in Nanking. Frankl's book deals with the reason why we live and is a personalised account of his journey through the concentration camps as well as a treatise on Logotherapy, his own brand of psychotherapy. Both deal with unpleasant historical events, but are essential reading. Connect with Mere Mortals:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E5 · Sat, February 13, 2021
The Hero With A Thousand Faces (Joseph Campbell) & Black Rednecks And White Liberals (Thomas Sowell) - Book Reviews
Two books for the price of one! This episode of the Mere Mortals Book Reviews looks at 'The Hero With A Thousand Faces' by Joseph Campbell and 'Black Rednecks And White Liberals' by Thomas Sowell. Campbell explores the landscape of myth and story, following the archetypal journey of the hero throughout it's many phases. This book is somewhat known as a classic and its influence can still be seen today. Sowell's book is a collection of 6 essays: the similarity between redneck and black culture, exploring similarities of other minority groups like Jews, the history of slavery, German culture and history leading up to the Nazi era, black education post slavery, and history being viewed subjectively or objectively. I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E3 · Sat, February 13, 2021
The Day Of The Triffids (J. Wyndham) & A Portrait Of The Artist As A Young Man (J. Joyce) - Book Reviews
In this book review Kyrin goes over the books 'The Day Of The Triffids' by John Wyndham & 'A Portrait Of The Artist As A Young Man' by James Joyce. The first is a story of an apocalyptic world populated with dangerous plants and the second is of a young Irish boy growing into a young man. Neither books were spectacular in his opinion but did raise some questions of ethics being context dependent and the psychology of spiralling downwards. Hope these brought some insights into your own reading. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E2 · Sat, February 13, 2021
Ordinary Men (Christopher R Browning) - Book Review
'Ordinary Men' by Christopher R. Browning details the experiences of Reserve Police Battalion 101 during the occupation of Poland by Nazi Germany. It examines the role played by the battalion in the murder/exportation of the Jewish people in this era. Browning shares his thoughts on some of the psychological and ethical issues raised by the circumstances. I summarised the book as follows. "This was a sombre and difficult read. It's extremely detailed so be prepared to learn in excruciating detail about the gore & heartbreak of the mass shootings in cold blood. Psychologically there were so many aspects to explore and the author really goes deep. A stark reminder of what ordinary men (aka all of us) are capable of." As always, I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! If you enjoyed this review and would like to support the team, feel free to use our referral link here! https://amzn.to/3mUsTQj Timeline: (0:00) - Synopsis (3:59) - The circumstances of the mass killings (7:27) - Being a social misfit (12:46) - Ethical actions but with wrong moral reasonings (18:21) - Personal Observations (22:22) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
S1 E1 · Sat, February 13, 2021
Island (Aldous Huxley) - Book Review
Welcome to the Mere Mortals Book Review channel! 'Island' by Aldous Huxley is a utopian world set on the island of Pala. Will Farnaby is an embittered journalist who arrives to convince the ruler to sell the oil rights to his boss. As he stays longer he learns about the social setup and interconnected community of the inhabitants. The main themes focus on the interweaving of religion/meditation/psychedelics and how they play a part in the structure of the island. I summarised the book as follows. "An intriguing creation of a better world .... that probably could never exist. As a utopian ideal it's nice but nothing of this fictional world convinced me that this sort of community would be sustainable. I found the tone to be really preachy in parts and highlights the bad parts of the western philosophy without highlighting the good parts either. Overall it was a fun read though and emphasises the complexity of life and the need for balance." I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out! If you enjoyed this review and would like to support the team, feel free to use our referral link here! https://amzn.to/3mUZsNW Timeline: (0:00) - Welcome to the channel (1:25) - Synopsis (5:46) - The three parts of the story (11:07) - The religious & woo woo (16:42) - Golden nuggets in a stream full of diamonds (21:49) - Psychedelics and meditation (23:45) - Summary Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/ Support the show
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